Fremantle Executive General Manager of Football Joe Brierty has given a comprehensive update on Hayden Young, Sean Darcy and recruit Quinton Narkle as the trio continue to work their way back into full pre-season programs.
Speaking on SportFM on Thursday morning, Brierty said the playing group had been putting in the work since returning to pre-season training despite Perth's testing weather conditions.
When asked about Young (leg) and Darcy (knee), Brierty said the pair were making steady progress and looking to be returning to full training programs in the new year.
"He's (Young) progressed pretty well after the break and then probably about a week and a half ago he had a knock straight on the point where the actual break had occurred," Brierty said.
"He had a contusion there which has been quite sore, so you probably haven't seen as much of him in the last couple of weeks.
“He's just been doing cross-training and managing that. There is no further break or anything like that; it's just pretty sore.
"He's just coming to the back of that off-leg program just to make sure we manage that really well and he'll transition back into footy, and we don't see him missing any kind of pre-season training.
Youngy on the grind 🕶️ #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/lcFBM0DyRG
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) December 9, 2024
"We've been really impressed with the way Sean (Darcy) has been applying himself.
"He's now transitioned to on-field running and is upping his speed and his load.
"With all things going really well, we'll plan to have him ready for the start of the year."
Talking about Supplementary Selection Period signing Narkle, Brierty said the Club had been easing the 27-year-old into his program following his arrival from Port Adelaide.
"He's obviously at a good age and maturity and has been around the AFL system for a long time," Brierty said.
"Whether he's playing as a high half-forward, a wing, or even coming off half-back, he uses the ball really well.
"It's a really important aspect of our list now as we try and add elements that we think can assist us across the year.
your day, Quinton Narkle 💜
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) December 3, 2024
stoked to have you in the purple!#foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/bJ9a1QR7wk
“He had a navicular injury at the start of last year, and it's been something we've been managing with him coming into our program because we do have a high-speed running program.
“We'll look for him to be doing on-field running later this week and transitioning into footy."