Michael Frederick has been ruled out of Fremantle’s clash with Port Adelaide this weekend while Sam Switkowski is likely to play, according to High Performance Manager Phil Merriman.

Frederick was withdrawn from Freo’s Gather Round fixture against Carlton in the third quarter after sustaining a hamstring injury, while Switkowski experienced a calf complaint throughout but was able to complete the match.

“Freddy picked up a very low-grade hamstring strain, this will keep him out for hopefully one week,” Merriman said.

“We will see how he progresses this throughout this week.

“Switta on the other hand had a little calf complaint during the game, but we’re really positive about how that has progressed through the week and he is a test to play.”

Ruckman Sean Darcy joined the playing group in Adelaide on Sunday as he pushes to return from his knee issue this weekend at Adelaide Oval.

“Sean has joined us (in Adelaide) and he is fired up and keen to get through main training,” Merriman said.

“We will assess how he gets through main training and make the call on whether he plays this week.”

Forward recruit Pat Voss was withdrawn from Peel‘s round two match against Subiaco at the weekend with a low-grade calf complaint, while Sam Sturt (hamstring) and Corey Wagner (calf) are close to staking their claim to return to football.

“Pat just got a little low-grade calf injury that will put him out this week, and he is a test to return the following week,” Merriman said.

“Sam is coming off the back of a low-grade hamstring and will be a test this week.

“Corey has progressed super well this week, there were conversations around (Wagner returning) this week but given his history we want to make sure we get him right and ready to go for the following week.”

Merriman also provided updates on Karl Worner and Odin Jones who have both recently moved through the concussion protocols.

“Karl had some very low-level symptoms at the end stage of the protocols,” Merriman said.

“There is a no-risk policy within the protocols, if he gets through that this week then he will be available to play.”

“Odin is at a similar point in the protocols, we are working through the contact program.

“Odin has obviously been out for a little longer after having his concussion against West Coast in the practice match. He will just take a little bit longer to get back into playing.”

Meanwhile, Merriman highlighted the positive result from Oscar McDonald’s surgery, with the key defender’s ACL not requiring a full reconstruction.

“We’re very lucky with Oscar and a lot of our guys to have some quality surgeons and Dr Peter D’Alessandro has been working very closely with Oscar over the last few weeks in a tricky case,” Merriman said.

“It’s been a great result in surgery, but we did fear the worst that it might be a full reconstruction of his ACL but luckily it’s been kept to about four-to-five months with this repair, so that’s really exciting for Oscar.”

ROUND FIVE INJURY LIST
Sean Darcy (knee) – test
Sam Switkowski (calf) – test
Sam Sturt (hamstring) – test
Karl Worner (concussion) – test
Michael Frederick (hamstring) – 1 week
Pat Voss (calf) – 1 week
Corey Wagner (calf) – 1 week
Conrad Williams (foot) – 2-3 weeks
Brennan Cox (hamstring) – 9-11 weeks
Oscar McDonald (knee) – 15-19 weeks
Odin Jones (concussion) - TBC
Sebit Kuek (knee) – season
Josh Corbett (hip) - season