Fremantle High Performance Manager Phil Merriman says Club captain Alex Pearce will miss about a month of football following the left forearm fracture he sustained during the Club’s 20-point win over Gold Coast on Sunday.

Pearce landed awkwardly on his left arm in a marking contest during the third quarter of play, with Merriman confirming the captain is set for a stint on the sidelines as he awaits surgery later this week.

“Alex will go into surgery to stabilise a fracture he received in the game on the weekend which will leave him out for three to four weeks,” Merriman said.

Midfielder Will Brodie came from the ground with a foot injury early in Peel Thunder’s game at the weekend, he returned for a short time but was later subbed off before halftime.

“He (Brodie) was out running and doing a flush today,” Merriman said.

“The signs are good, and we will see how he is tomorrow at main training but at this stage he will be a test to play.”

In positive news, experienced defender Brennan Cox played his first 60 minutes of football for Peel’s WAFL Reserves at the weekend since injuring his hamstring tendon in round one.

“(Brennan) performed well, (he) got some great run numbers out of the game which was on managed minutes,” Merriman said.

“We plan to see him playing in (WAFL) League this week and I’m looking forward to it.

Meanwhile, fellow veteran Michael Walters continues to progress on his journey back to playing senior football following the hamstring injury he sustained in the Club’s round 14 clash with the Bulldogs.

“(Michael’s rehabilitation) is progressing as planned, which is the standard 21-day hamstring injury, so hopefully he will be available the following week,” Merriman said.

Merriman also confirmed that Fremantle rookie Ollie Murphy would be sidelined due to an abdomen injury, while winger Nathan O’Driscoll closes in on a return to playing.

“Ollie had an abdominal procedure yesterday, so we are going to see how he progresses over the next few weeks to determine a (return) timeframe,” Merriman said.

“He (O’Driscoll) has been going really well.

“He won’t play this week, but the plan will be for him to be available the following week.

ROUND 16 INJURY LIST
Brodie (foot) - test
Walker (illness) – test
Walters (hamstring) - 1-2 weeks 
Kuek (knee) - 1-2 weeks
O’Driscoll (knee) - 1-2 weeks
Pearce (arm) - 3-4 weeks
McDonald (knee) - 8-9 weeks
Murphy (abdomen) - TBC
Corbett (hip) – Season