Fremantle defender Nathan Wilson could be back as early as next week’s clash with St Kilda, according to senior coach Ross Lyon.
Along with Rory Lobb (shoulder) and Luke Ryan (hamstring), Wilson (toe) was one of three players ruled out due to injury for Saturday’s clash with Geelong at Optus Stadium.
Lyon said that Wilson had been playing under pain management.
“Nathan has been playing with a jab in his toe for about four or five weeks,” Lyon said.
“It just got too sore so hopefully, we can get him back in a week or two.”
Lyon said that Fremantle were still assessing Lobb’s shoulder injury, while Ryan is looking to return for the final game of the season.
“With Rory, they’re just exploring that shoulder, which is my understanding,” Lyon said.
“They’re trying to find the solution and my understanding is that potentially, it could require some surgery at some point.
“Luke Ryan, he’ll struggle to get back I would think, maybe the last game of the year.”
Lyon said that Fremantle will look to the likes of Nat Fyfe and David Mundy to add some height to the forward line in the absence of Lobb.
“We’re going to go in a little bit shorter (up forward),” Lyon said.
“Fyfe played forward, Mundy can go through there, so we’re just going to have to be a little bit creative.
“(Michael) Walters can play a fair bit forward and he’s really dangerous forward and out of the goal square.
“We’ll look at some of those options, Brandon Matera’s a goal kicker. We’d like to create scoring opportunities from turning it over and going quick enough to score.”
Lyon said tall forward Cam McCarthy was seriously considered for selection, but will instead get the chance to build his form at Peel.
“We threw (selecting McCarthy) up at match committee but at the end of the day we need to keep integrity of selection and performance,” Lyon said.
“Cam has played some really good games and he’s clear on some of the things he needs to work on.
“There’s still plenty (of games) to go here for us so hopefully, he goes to Peel and plays a really good game and finds himself back in the seniors, we’d love that to happen.”
