Fremantle have established a timeframe on the return from injury for a number of players, with Griffin Logue and Lee Spurr expected to return to football within a month and Sean Darcy and Hugh Dixon five to six weeks away.
High performance manager Jason Weber also provided an update on injured key forward Matt Taberner and midfielder Bradley Hill.
Taberner injured his foot in the opening term of Saturday’s clash with the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium and went off the field without returning to the game.
“Matt had an acute incident early in the game and he fractured one of the bones in his foot,” Weber said.
“At this stage, it’s going to be quite a period off the field but he’s in good spirits and he’s already returned to (rehabilitation) training but he’ll be ready to go as soon as we can.”
Hill’s time on the sidelines is longer than was expected following his injury against Essendon in round two.
“At this stage, we hoped he would be moving quicker than he is,” Weber said.
“We’ve got him back up and running into the early phases of rehab at the moment, we just have to respect that knee so he’s going slower than expected.
“Hopefully, we’ll get him progressing in the next couple of weeks.”
At one point, Fremantle was considering surgery as Logue battled congenital issue with a metatarsal in his foot, however he is now listed as being 3-4 weeks away from a return to football.
“Griffin Logue’s really turned a corner,” Weber said.
“Obviously, he’s got quite a unique foot injury but he’s back up and going and we look forward to progressing him through towards football in the next few weeks.”
Dixon has recently returned from a trip home to see family while Darcy is currently at home in Victoria as he continues with his recovery.
“Hugh’s a young player, it’s always good in a long rehab to get home to see family from a wellbeing perspective,” Weber said.
“He’s done some really good work while he’s away. He’s come back, he’s out of his brace and he’s progressing as planned.
“Sean’s also gone home but that’s a part of his plan at this stage.
“It’s a significant knee injury but he had progressed well. The fluid’s out of his knee but we’re going to start that strength program and we’ll get him moving as soon as we can.”
According to Weber, Spurr is approximately a month away from his return.
“Lee is another bone injury,” Weber said.
“There’s some joint stress and he’s progressing really well and he’s turned a corner and getting moving.”
Three players are listed as a test to return to football, including Stefan Giro, who has made a rapid recovery from a knee injury during a pre-season game for Peel in March.
“Stefan has a nasty medial ligament injury to his knee but he’s progressed really well,” Weber said.
“He’s a fantastic trainer and athlete so we have him as a test this week and we look forward to seeing him at match committee.”
Weber is also hopeful Michael Apeness and Sam Switkowski will return to football this week.
“Michael injured his ankle a couple of weeks ago but with a bye last week he missed an opportunity to play but he’ll be up and going this week,” Weber said.
“Sam has a little bit of hamstring awareness a week or two back, nothing clinical.
“He has a big history from last year so again he’s had some time to build over the past fortnight and we look forward to testing him this week and, hopefully, make him available.”
Michael Apeness | Ankle | Test |
---|---|---|
Harley Bennell | Calf | TBA |
Sean Darcy | Knee | 5-6 weeks |
Hugh Dixon | Ankle | 5-6 weeks |
Stefan Giro | Knee | Test |
Brady Grey | Hamstring | 1-2 weeks |
Bradley Hill | Knee | TBA |
Griffin Logue | Foot | 3-4 weeks |
Lee Spurr | Knee | 3-4 weeks |
Sam Switkowski | Hamstring | Test |
Matt Taberner | Foot | TBA |