Fremantle Senior Coach Justin Longmuir has said if deemed fit, Luke Jackson will add valuable flexibility to the makeup of the team ahead of the Round 8 Friday night meeting with the Saints.
Speaking at his Tuesday morning media conference, Longmuir said if available Jackson may get more time in the ruck in Round 8 to provide support for Sean Darcy.
“We likely see Sean (Darcy) as our number one ruck, but a bit more time to Jacko (Jackson) than we have in the past though,” Longmuir said.
“We probably use his flexibility to use Jacko in other places as well.
“Before he (Jackson) got injured he was probably our most in-form player.
“We will start to work on that combination and see what best suits. It’s always a horses-for-courses type mentality with how much time each one of them rucks and plays other roles, but we will discuss those details a bit later.
“It gives us flexibility if things aren’t working.”
Jackson and Darcy have not played together this season, with Darcy missing the first month as he recovered from knee and ankle surgeries and then returning after Jackson suffered a hamstring injury against the Western Bulldogs in Round 4.
Approaching the Club’s second consecutive Friday night fixture for the season, Longmuir said finding a consistent brand of four-quarter football is still the key as competition moves into the second quarter of the home and away season.
“There are still aspects of our game that are far from perfect and like all Clubs at this time of year, you are just trying to build on previous performances and not take a step back. That’s the challenge this week,” Longmuir said.
“They (St Kilda) are a very good contest team. Their contest numbers are elite, and they have some dangerous players off halfback who get their ball movement going.
“Their front half game at their best is very strong.
“They are just really well balanced across the ground.
“The last couple of results haven’t gone their way but you don’t have to be far off in this game for it to look like that.”
It will be the first time this season Fremantle have played at Marvel Stadium, last playing at the ground in Round 15 of 2024.
Fremantle have won two of the last three meetings with the Saints.
