Luke Ryan is set to return to a key defender role when Fremantle take on Gold Coast on Saturday at Optus Stadium, according to executive general manager of football Peter Bell.

Freo’s backline depth is set to be tested with Griffin Logue (concussion), Brennan Cox (hamstring) and Nathan Wilson (suspension) to miss the game.

Key defender Alex Pearce is in the frame to play for the first time since round one, however Bell said Fremantle were waiting on results from ‘precautionary’ scans on Pearce’s wrist.

Pearce had seven marks and 14 disposals after playing full minutes against Swan Districts.

“Alex played really well down at Peel. He landed awkwardly on his wrist in a contest late in the game,” Bell told 6PR.

“We’ve sent him off for precautionary scans but you never know what they’ll uncover. We’re quietly optimistic, we’ll just have to wait and see.

“Alex has been going really well and you’d think with the injuries we have had, that he’d be right in the frame, but we’ll wait and see now.”

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Bell said Ryan was more than capable of holding down Freo’s defence as the main tall alongside the likes of Tobe Watson and Taylin Duman.

The 202cm Ben King will be the main test for Freo’s backs, while the Suns are waiting on the fitness of 197cm forward Sam Day, who is a chance to come back early from a knee injury.

“Luke Ryan has shown an ability to play tall last year. He did that on many occasions and he acquitted himself to an All Australian level, so we know he can play tall,” Bell said.

“Gold Coast aren’t particularly tall at the moment but they’re going to come off a 14-day break and we’ll be off a six-day break, so it’s hard to know exactly where some of their returning players are.

“We know that Tobe Watson can play taller, Taylin Duman can play tall. If Alex Peace is available, he’ll be right in the frame as well.”

While leader Reece Conca will be a likely replacement for Wilson, Bell said that that first-year players Brandon Walker and Nathan O’Driscoll were performing well for Peel at half back, however both may need more time before earning selection.

Against Swan Districts, O’Driscoll had eight marks and 20 disposals while Walker had six marks and 15 disposals.

“I thought our two young half backs at Peel also played well in Brandon Walker and Nathan O’Driscoll,” Bell said.

“We’re really liking what they’re doing, they need to continue to work hard and press their claims.”

Bell was hopeful Logue would only miss one game due to Fremantle having a bye between the Gold Coast clash and their game against Collingwood.

Unfortunately, Cox is set for a long stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

“Griffin will miss this week against the Gold Coast as a part of the concussion protocols. We’re hopeful that it will just be the game against Gold Coast that he misses. It’s out of our hands now, it’s just how Griffin recovers,” Bell said.

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“(With Cox) when you’re lying on the ground afterwards and you’re struggling to walk, you’d suggest it was a more high grade (hamstring injury).

“It was a mechanism where potentially, we think it might be hamstring tendon damage, which is nasty and certainly that’s the mechanism where that would be more likely.

“I don’t want to jump the gun, we’re hoping for the best, but given the way he walked off the ground and needed assistance, we’re not optimistic with Brennan and he’ll likely miss a lot of footy.”

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