Star’s training scare as Freo mulls Fyfe return; forgotten Saint ‘as fit as he’s been’: Team Whispers

All eyes are on Fremantle’s match committee, which is weighing up several options ahead of the club’s clash with Hawthorn.

Plus St Kilda could receive a double boost, while Melbourne has a big conundrum.

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FREMANTLE dual Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe could be unleashed at AFL level for the first since Round 1 when his club takes on Hawthorn.

Fyfe training strongly at Dockers headquarters on Wednesday as he prepares to return to action this weekend at some level.

Coach Justin Longmuir on Tuesday night said the Dockers remained unsure where Fyfe would play, whether that’s with Peel Thunder in the WAFL, or as the sub – or a starting 22 member – against Hawthorn in the AFL.

“He’s got to get through main training, he’s got to get the tick of approval from the medical staff and like I’ve been saying, we’re edging closer,” Longmuir told 7 News Perth.

“I think all options are still open and we’ll decide that after training and wait to see whether he gets through, but all options are still on the table.”

Exciting forward Michael Frederick (adductor) is also a chance to return from injury after making a quick recovery from an adductor issue.

But there’s some doubt over star ruckman Sean Darcy, who trained away from the main group at Cockburn on Wednesday. The West Australian journalist Jordan McArdle reported Darcy had ample strapping on his left knee – although that has been a regular sight this year – and appeared to be undergoing a fitness test.

Darcy left the track after chatting with a club medical staffers before later returning for match simulation.

Should Darcy be unavailable for selection, prized recruit Luke Jackson would lead the ruck division and one of Josh Corbett or Josh Treacy could come in for forward support.

The Dockers will be without young gun midfielder Matthew Johnson, who was handed a two-game ban for his dangerous tackle on Lions veteran Dayne Zorko. Fellow 2021 draftee Neil Erasmus, who started as the sub against the Lions, could come into the starting 22 for Johnson.

HAWTHORN will consider re-calling young guns Connor Macdonald and Cam Mackenzie for Saturday night’s clash against Fremantle.

Both Macdonald and Mackenzie were omitted from last week’s team that played the Bulldogs, but starred at VFL level for Box Hill, racking up 37 and 30 disposals respectively.

Ruckman Lloyd Meek, who was also dropped from the AFL side, would be a strong chance to face his former Dockers teammates, responding to his axing with a 26-disposal, 46-hitout VFL display.

MELBOURNE will welcome back Harrison Petty from concussion for its clash against Gold Coast.

Demons coach Simon Goodwin said the full spread of options at his disposal did not mean he needed to settle on the Demons’ attacking mix just yet, with scoreboard impact not a concern for his side after they piled on 22 goals against the Kangaroos.

Melbourne used Josh Schache and Jacob van Rooyen in attack alongside one of Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn in the 90-point win, but Goodwin said a selection conundrum had emerged this week and would not guarantee Schache an AFL berth despite being cleared of any significant damage to his wrist.

Goodwin said Petty and small forward Charlie Spargo would both return this week after exiting the concussion protocols, while experienced duo Ben Brown and Tom McDonald would both again be considered for a senior call-up.

“Scoring hasn’t been an issue for us in terms of hitting the scoreboard, so from a forward line perspective we’re happy with our method and our ability to operate inside 50,” he said.

“From a personnel perspective, we’re certainly not settled. We’re open minded about how we get better, whether that’s with our rucks.

“It’ll settle down as the year goes on I’m sure, but in the meantime opportunities will continue to present until we find what we think is going to really take us forward to be the best team possible.”

GOLD COAST could re-call veteran forward Levi Casboult to face Melbourne after he was rested from the Suns’ win over Richmond.

First-round draftees Mac Andrew and Sam Flanders are also in the mix for an AFL re-call. Flanders was a particular standout in the VFL last weekend, finishing with 30 disposals in his first game back from a knee injury.

ST KILDA defender Jimmy Webster is back in the selection frame for his side’s clash with North Melbourne on Sunday evening after recovering from a fractured cheekbone.

And coach Ross Lyon said Jack Billings would be strongly considered, with his kicking skills at half-forward appealing given the Saints’ woes entering their forward 50.

“It’s been our issue, efficiency, we’re getting plenty of entries. I thought we dominated periods on the weekend but didn’t take advantage of it, so hopefully we can bring that to the table this week,” Lyon said.

Lyon said Billings was “as fit as he’s been” after being pushed to train three times a week this year – an extra weekly session to what he has been able to complete in the previous few years.

“He’s training incredibly hard … I think he can get back to playing his best footy,” he said.

NORTH MELBOURNE midfield gun Luke Davies-Uniacke is a chance to return after being a late withdrawal against the Demons.

The Kangaroos, though, will have to find a replacement for forward Charlie Comben after he suffered a badly broken leg last weekend.

He underwent surgery for a fibula fracture and also suffered a high-grade syndesmosis injury in the same incident. But the 21-year-old, who had played every game for the Kangaroos this season, could be back well before the end of the season.

BRISBANE will have to find replacements for its two most experienced players for Friday night’s blockbuster against Carlton.

Veteran duo Dayne Zorko (hamstring) and Daniel Rich (calf) both picked up injuries during the Lions’ win over Fremantle.

Zorko’s versatility means Brisbane could bring in either a midfielder, like Jarryd Lyons or Deven Robertson, or a small forward, like Nakia Cockatoo or Kai Lohmann.

Rich’s replacement could come from one of Cal Ah Chee, Noah Answerth or Jaxon Prior.

Meanwhile, Lions stalwart Ryan Lester believes he has done enough to retain his spot in Brisbane’s team, but if not, he will “embrace” his return to the VFL and the task of again forcing his way into AFL calculations.

“I find I probably don’t ride the wave of getting disappointed every week not getting selected,” he said.

“Five out of the last six years I’ve been out of contract. I think I’ve been dropped as many times as any AFL player currently on the list, so if I went back to the VFL and spat the dummy, I’d probably have been out of the club three or four years ago.

“I very much love being around the club. It gives me great life balance with two young kids.

“I like helping out some of the young guys who are playing VFL, but then also I really enjoyed playing on the weekend back in the AFL.”

CARLTON will regain Jesse Motlop from suspension for Friday night’s clash against Brisbane, while fellow small forward Matt Owies is also a chance to return from a hamstring issue.