Star young ruckman Sean Darcy remains a chance to face Sydney in round 19, however there has been a further setback in Stephen Hill’s recovery from a hamstring injury, according to executive general manager of football Peter Bell
Darcy came off late with a knee concern in Fremantle’s clash against Geelong on Thursday night but Bell said scans had revealed only a minor strain to Darcy’s knee.
“I’m pleased to report that Sean is a reasonably positive outcome,” Bell told ABC Grandstand.
“He’s got a minor strain of the medial and also around the medial patella femoral area.
“Overall, what the means is that it’s actually a really stable knee, which is positive, and we’re quite confident that he’ll be available against Sydney.”
Bell said ruck/forward Rory Lobb was doubtful for the Swans clash due to an ankle injury.
Lobb was subbed off at half time against Geelong and replaced by medical sub Brandon Walker.
“Rory’s been managing a sore ankle for a little while now,” Bell said.
“He’s got some laxity in his ankle. He’s probably got a lot of wear and tear there, little loose bodies in the ankle as well.
“He would be doubtful against Sydney but I’m not going to put a line through him at this stage.”
Hill was set to play limited minutes for Peel in the WAFL against Claremont on Sunday however he has now been ruled out with ‘hamstring awareness’.
“Stephen Hill was due to play tomorrow but unfortunately he has some further hamstring awareness that’s only happened in the last couple of hours (on Saturday morning),” Bell said.
“We’ll have to just reassess the situation but he won’t be playing tomorrow, which is very disappointing for Stephen and the Club.”
There is still hope Hill could return via the WAFL next weekend.
“At this stage we think it’s a one-week situation but it’s really fresh as well,” Bell said.
“It just happened this morning, so I’ve only just been made aware of it myself.
“We think that it will just be a one-week delay but it’s hardly ideal with everything else that Stephen’s been through and the fact that we’ve just completed round 18. The delay is not great.”
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