Fremantle remain hopeful that talls Sean Darcy and Matt Taberner will be available for section for Saturday’s clash against Melbourne at the MCG, according to assistant coach Josh Carr.
Ahead of Wednesday’s main training session, senior coach Justin Longmuir said Darcy would need to impress on the track to put his hand up for selection.
With fellow ruck Lloyd Meek already confirmed for a debut, Carr said the 22-year-old Darcy put in a good showing in a brief 18 on 18 hitout, meaning Freo could go into the clash with two rucks.
“(Sean) definitely will be considered,” Carr told 6PR.
“He trained extremely well today on the track. He spent some time up forward and gave us something.
“There’s no doubt that he’s available, (it’s deciding) whether we pick him or leave him another week and have him cherry ripe for next week.”
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Carr said Taberner did not take part in the session due to back tightness.
“It’s not unusual for Tabs to come off the track. He’s a bit tight in his lower back. We expect him to be ok and ready to go for the game,” Carr said.
While Freo could have Taberner as a key forward with Darcy and Meek rotating between the ruck and the forward line, Carr said Fremantle were also prepared to swing a tall defender forward.
Freo have a number of key backs available for the clash, including Joel Hamling, Alex Pearce and Brennan Cox.
“There’s been some discussion about it (playing a defender forward),” Carr said.
“If we do make that call…there is some flexibility having the talls that we’ve got available in the back six or seven…within games we can change it if something’s not working.
“There’s definitely some thoughts going into that strategy.”
Carr added that Luke Ryan, Caleb Serong and Adam Cerra would be available for selection after the trio missed Freo’s AAMI Community Series game against West Coast a fortnight ago.
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