The return of star forward Michael Walters could soften the blow from Nat Fyfe’s likely absence when Fremantle take on Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
Senior coach Justin Longmuir was bullish on the 30-year-old’s chances or returning in round three from a hamstring injury.
“(Walters) has ticked most boxes,” Longmuir said.
“The way I saw him running yesterday afternoon, I don’t want to declare him fit, I will let the medical staff do that but he doesn’t have to do a lot I wouldn’t have thought, just get through main training.”
The AFL’s new mandatory 12-day concussion rule is set to rule Fyfe out for at least one week.
Fyfe will be the first player to be ruled out for at least 12 days under the rule.
“He got concussed and we subbed him out, he’s good in the change rooms now,” Longmuir said.
“He’s up and about, getting around his teammates. But we subbed him out of the game, what that means for the next couple of weeks, I am not sure.
“We tread carefully with all concussions. He won’t be passed fit to play until he ticks every box with our doctors. That’s the same with every player and every situation.”
Nat Fyfe is off due to concussion after this hit ?? #AFLFreoGiants #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/nRfVHTXinP
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) March 28, 2021
With Fyfe playing most of the Freo’s win against GWS up forward, Freo may turn to rookie draftee Josh Treacy to replace him as a tall target up front.
In his post-match press conference, Longmuir joked with the media that he hadn’t considered the potential debut of Treacy, who will be available in the AFL as he returns from a two-game suspension in the WAFL.
Last week, Treacy kicked seven goals against Claremont for Peel in a pre-season game.
“Potentially (Treacy could play) but I actually hadn’t thought of that, geez you (media) move on quick” Longmuir said.
“Hopefully Sonny comes back too, he will be a decent replacement up forward as well.
“We will start getting some players back from injury now and that causes selection headaches but if we keep putting out those performances we will keep giving guys opportunity.”
Longmuir said he expected defender Brennan Cox to play, who pulled up sore after sore after copping friendly fire from teammate Reece Conca.
“(Brennan) just got a hip pointer and got the wind taken out of him, you come up pretty quick with those,” Longmuir said.
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