Fremantle could have up to four players become available for selection for Saturday night’s clash with Essendon at Optus Stadium, according to High Performance Manager Phil Merriman.
Sean Darcy only needs an incident-free week on the training track to play against the Bombers, while James Aish, Michael Frederick and Will Brodie are also tests to return.
Darcy last played in the Walyalup v Narrm clash in round 11, coming off in the second quarter with the hamstring injury.
“We’re all excited for Sean’s return. He had a really good football simulation session on Saturday and got through,” Merriman said.
“The plan will be for him to get through training this week and play.”
Aish could return as early as this week should he continue to progress through the concussion protocols.
“He’s got to get through his final tick off for training on Wednesday,” Merriman said.
“The plan is for him to be out there on the weekend.”
Frederick was a late withdrawal from Fremantle’s clash with GWS on Saturday due to an ankle injury, for what would have been the forwards 50th AFL game.
“He was pretty close (to playing),” Merriman said.
“We’re just watching that ankle pretty closely in the early part of this week.
“The plan is for him to be training on Wednesday and we’ll see how it behaves after that.”
Brodie is also a test to return from an ankle injury as he looks to make himself available for selection for either Fremantle or Peel.
“It’s been a little bit slower than we thought (with Brodie),” Merriman said.
“It’s clearly turned the corner this week, so we’ll see him doing most of training this week and play on the weekend.”
Matthew Johnson has been given the all clear after appearing sore when he was subbed off against the Giants.
“It was just a hip pointer, he was clearly hampered during the game,” Merriman said.
“It’s pulled up really well. The plan is for him to be training this week.”
INJURY LIST
Sean Darcy (hamstring) – Test
James Aish (concussion) – Test
Will Brodie (ankle) – Test
Michael Frederick (ankle) – Test
Eric Benning (patella tendon) – Test
Heath Chapman (hamstring) - 1-2 weeks
Matt Taberner (back) - TBA
