Sam Switkowski has been ruled out of Saturday night’s RAC Derby clash with West Coast after being placed in concussion protocols.

High Performance Manager Phil Merriman has confirmed Switkowski will be sidelined this weekend after suffering a head knock toward the end of the second quarter of Saturday night’s clash with Port Adelaide. 

Switkowski passed his SCAT6 assessment during the half-time break and returned to the game, however he reported some mild symptoms two days later on Monday.

The small forward is expected to be available for selection against the Western Bulldogs next weekend, subject to progressing through the protocols.

“Sam passed all the SCAT tests on the night of the game and obviously finished the game but unfortunately he had a few minor symptoms on Monday,” Merriman said.

“We have made the safe call - and in looking after Sam’s health - we have placed him in the protocols.”

Merriman said that Sean Darcy was close to making his return to football last weekend, but the decision was made to give the ruckman an extra week in recovery.

Listed as tests, Darcy and Michael Frederick are expected to play against the Eagles if they get through main training this week.

“The plan is to have Sean back this week, he has been really good over the past few weeks and was really close last week,” Merriman said.

“We just wanted him to get through a couple more hurdles this week and we expect to see him play (against West Coast).

“(Frederick) has progressed really well and he got a great session done last Saturday.

“He has a few more hurdles to jump over but he will be a test to play this week.”

Meanwhile, Corey Wagner and Pat Voss are both likely to play at WAFL level with Peel this weekend after working through calf concerns.

Wagner sustained his calf injury around a month ago, while forward recruit Voss was withdrawn from Peel‘s round two match against Subiaco with a low-grade calf complaint.

“(Wagner and Voss) are both tracking really well, Corey could have played last week but it will be great to see him back in action at Peel this week and ‘Vossy’ will also be a test to play,” Merriman said.

Merriman also provided updates on Nathan O’Driscoll (knee) and Karl Worner (concussion).

“Driz landed on that knee that he’s been having trouble with (while playing for Peel on Saturday),” Merriman said.

“He has recovered really well after the incident, and we expect to see him train and play this week.

“Karl has got one more hurdle to jump over and that’s main training – if he gets through that without any symptoms he will be on the park ready to play on the weekend.”

ROUND SIX INJURY LIST
Michael Frederick (hamstring) – test
Nathan O’Driscoll (knee) – test
Karl Worner (concussion) – test
Sean Darcy (knee) – test
Corey Wagner (calf) – test
Pat Voss (calf) – test
Sam Switkowski (concussion) – 1 week
Conrad Williams (foot) – 1-2 weeks
Brennan Cox (hamstring) - 9-11 weeks
Oscar McDonald (knee) – 14-18 weeks
Odin Jones (concussion) – TBC
Josh Corbett (hip) – Season
Sebit Kuek (knee) - Season