Fremantle forward Rory Lobb has avoided the need for surgery on his right knee, which he injured in Sunday’s AAMI Community Series clash at Optus Stadium.

Fremantle’s executive general manager of football Peter Bell said Lobb will be in a brace for approximately six weeks after getting his leg caught underneath a tackling contest with West Coast defender Tom Cole.

“It was a nasty incident with Rory’s leg getting caught underneath him,” Bell said.

“He had scans yesterday and then we followed up with a surgical review this morning.

“The scans have indicated that Rory has done significant damage to his posterolateral corner in his knee.

“There is a lot of other damage in there as well, including a strain to the ACL. The good news is that there is no tear to the ACL. 

“We were concerned around some meniscus damage as well but…the surgeon's opinion is that there is no surgery required.

“Rory will be in the brace for about six weeks and then we will reassess from there.”

Forward Michael Walters was also injured in the match, sustaining a hamstring injury.

Scans have indicated that Walters will have a return to play date in three to four weeks.

Meanwhile, Bailey Banfield (syndesmosis) and Mitch Crowden (calf) will also miss the early stages of the home and away season.

“It was a tough day for the club obviously from an injury perspective,” Bell said.

“He’s had the syndesmosis (injury)…Bailey will be in a moonboot for a couple of weeks and then we will reassess.

“Mitch, unfortunately, has sustained a tear to his soleus in his lower calf area.

“We are also expecting that to be a five-to-six-week injury.”

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