Fremantle’s battered forward line is set to receive a timely boost, with both Michael Walters and Josh Treacy in line to play in Sunday’s AFL clash with Carlton at Marvel Stadium.
The Dockers’ forward-line curse claimed another victim on Sunday when skipper Nat Fyfe was concussed in the 31-point win over GWS.
Fyfe, playing as a permanent forward, copped an off-the-ball bump to the head from GWS big man Sam Reid and was later diagnosed with concussion.
It means Fyfe will miss the match against Carlton, and there’s no guarantee he will return for the round 4 clash with Hawthorn due to his history of concussion.
Walters hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring in a pre-season match against West Coast, but coach Justin Longmuir expects the 30-year-old to be given the green light to return this week.
“He’s ticked most boxes,” Longmuir said.
“The way I saw him running out here (on Saturday) – I don’t want to declare him fit, I’ll let the medical staff do that. But he doesn’t have to do a lot I wouldn’t have thought, except get through main training.”
Treacy was pencilled in to make his AFL debut in round one against Melbourne, but those plans were scuppered when the key forward copped a two-match ban from a WAFL practice game.
The 18-year-old showcased his talents with a seven-goal haul in a recent WAFL scratch match, and he is expected to slot straight in against the Blues.
Longmuir lavished praise on 35-year-old midfielder David Mundy, who tallied 35 disposals, six clearances, and 15 score involvements in the win over GWS.
“He just adds so much calmness to the group,” Longmuir said.
‘It’s like having a coach on the field. He dominated with the ball and won his fair share and finished it really well.
“He’s been doing it since I’ve been here, literally as a player. He’s a marvel.”
Fremantle booted a wayward 11.21 (87) against the Giants, and Longmuir is hoping the inaccuracy was just a one-off.
“It’s not a pattern yet and I haven’t seen that over the pre-season, so fingers crossed we can turn it around quickly,” Longmuir said.