Fremantle High Performance Manager Phil Merriman says the Club will need more time to establish a return-to-play date for veteran forward Michael Walters.
Walters has been managing a knee issue since the pre-season Indigenous All Stars match, with Merriman confirming the 34-year-old needs more time.
“Sonny (Walters) has just been experiencing discomfort in that knee,” Merriman said.
“It hasn’t regressed, but we’re just in a bit of a holding pattern at the moment.
“We just have to grade him up, so we’re going to wait and provide timeframes in the next week or so.”
Meanwhile, running defender Corey Wagner will be a test to play against the Demons after missing the Gather Round win over the Tigers with a calf injury.
“Wags (Wagner) has come through the week off well,” Merriman said.
“He will be a test to play this week.”
Draft recruit Charlie Nicholls could also be in line for his first match minutes, pending his progress in main training after recovering from a pre-season back injury.
“He (Nicholls) is a test as well,” Merriman said.
“He needs to complete training tonight back in Perth, and that will determine his availability this week.”
Positively, Merriman confirmed ruckman Luke Jackson is progressing well with his hamstring injury.
“Luke’s here in Melbourne working on his hamstring,” Merriman said.
Dogga has joined us for the week in Melbourne as he continues his recovery ☺️#foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/XX44SBCn3X
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) April 15, 2025
“He’s progressing well — he’s commenced his running program and is working through the gears nicely.”
Similarly, midfielder Nathan O’Driscoll and forward Sam Sturt remain on track for returns to football before the Club’s Round 13 bye.
“We’re expecting to see Nathan (O’Driscoll) back running later in the week, and we’ll progress him toward the four-week mark,” Merriman said.
“He’s (Sturt) progressing his strength loads as we speak (following surgery last week).
“We’re expecting a return around the six-week mark for Sam.”
As confirmed by the Club on Tuesday, veteran midfielder Nat Fyfe has suffered a moderate-grade hamstring injury, with the Club yet to determine a return timeline.
“There’s not too much more we can add,” Merriman said.
“It’s a moderate-grade hamstring injury, and we’re expecting to know a little bit more for Freo fans in the next week or so.”
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