Fremantle senior coach Ross Lyon views ruckmen Rory Lobb and Sean Darcy as a potentially formidable ruck duo, forecasting plenty of development to come from both players.
Lyon said that veteran Aaron Sandilands remains the team’s number one ruckman, with the 36-year-old set to return from a calf injury later in the season.
Darcy has made a quick recovery from an ankle injury and Lyon said he was looking forward to seeing Darcy and Lobb line up again together soon.
“We’re pretty keen at some point to look at playing the two ruckmen in the team. We’ll look at it, whether it’s this week or not, Darcy’s got to pass that test (to face Collingwood on Saturday) but it’s good news that he's moved on rapidly,” Lyon said.
“They’re forming a good combination and I think there is just incredible growth left in Lobb and Darcy, we’d like to see those two in tandem, and Aaron (Sandilands) behind the scenes is really helping to mentor that.
“Our ruck profile is pretty strong. We’ve got Lloyd Meek and Scott Jones developing and Aaron, he’s running and progressing. (Aaron’s rturn) is still going to be a number of weeks yet, so it will be later in the season everything going smoothly.”
Lyon said he hasn't seen any evidence that Lobb prefers to play as a forward to being a primary ruckman.
“He loves it. You can only coach on action, I can’t read minds, and his actions would suggest that he’s fully committed and embracing the role and ignoring the noise around that,” Lyon said.
“It’s fantastic. I just see him getting better every week and Rory is feeling that, he’s working with some great players in there with (Nat) Fyfe, (David) Mundy, (Michael) Walters and Bradley Hill.
“They talk about Grundy being the highest paid player in the game, I’d rather stay in the ruck but that’s just me.”
Darcy Tucker, Sean Darcy and Rory Lobb ahead of Fremantle's recovery session at Cottesloe Beach on Wednesday
Lyon said he’s delighted that Fremantle have the opportunity to face one of the best teams in the AFL at the MCG.
“It’s one of the biggest challenges in football. Collingwood easily could have had a cup, they didn’t and they’re hungry,” Lyon said.
“They have as talented a list as there is in the AFL and I think they have some availability with more coming back in, potentially Mason Cox.
“We’re excited by the challenge, we think our best is good enough but we’re going to have to bring that to the table.
“We’re thrilled to be getting to the MCG, getting to the home of football - as much as we don’t like hearing that over here - it’s where you need to perform.
“We need to stand up and challenge Collingwood.”
