Ross Lyon has confirmed Lachie Neale will be right to play in the Carlton Draught Derby after the midfielder experienced inflammation in his knee in the wake of Freo’s round five clash with North Melbourne.
Lyon said Neale will take full part in Thursday’s training session and is expected to run out to take on West Coast at Domain Stadium on Saturday night.
“Initially, he finished the game in great shape but I got an email saying he might have an MCL grade one and I dropped my coffee,” Lyon said.
“But luckily he just had some inflammation inside his joint.
“He ran yesterday and he’ll train Thursday, so he’s 100 per cent.
“There was a slight scare but often it can go the other way.
“You think things are minor and they turn out worse, so we’re really grateful for that. You need bit of luck and we’ve had some there.”
Neale played a crucial role in the clearances that brought two goals in the final two minutes against the Kangaroos, which helped turn a seven point deficit into a five point win.
Lyon said that experienced midfielders such as Neale, Nat Fyfe and David Mundy will be called upon in crucial situations, while continuing to rotate Fremantle’s younger players through the middle.
“All the good teams strategically want to run deeper and have flexibility,” Lyon said.
“That’s been a part of (our) strategy… and it also creates opportunities.
“If you just have Mundy, Neale and Fyfe in there the whole time it means (Connor) Blakely can’t get through there, or (Harley) Balic or (Tommy) Sheridan.
“So it’s certainly made us a bit more unpredictable which is nice, and has given us some extra avenues to goal which is really pleasing as well.
“And then at the right time, a lot of their teams put their best in at critical moments, and that’s what we’ve tended to do.”
West Coast dominated the possession against Fremantle in their pre-season clash in Geraldton and Lyon said it was important for Fremantle’s midfield to be on top of their game.
“It’s critical (the midfield battle),” Lyon said.
“We know that (West Coast) are formidable in there and have plenty of depth.
“They’re a very flexible team, (Andrew) Gaff goes more inside than he used to so it’s a key challenge.
“We’ve got to blend, we’ve got some really good experienced players.
“Blakely’s going through there and (Ed) Langdon and (Darcy) Tucker, so it certainly helps give you momentum, opportunities and protect your defence as well.”
