Home

Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir confident of Sean Darcy availability, Lloyd Meek also named

Headshot of Jordan McArdle
Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
Sean Darcy is in doubt for Sunday’s clash against Sydney.
Camera IconSean Darcy is in doubt for Sunday’s clash against Sydney. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian

Lloyd Meek has been recalled to play alongside fellow ruckman Sean Darcy, with Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir “really confident” the latter will get up from a knee injury.

The Dockers head east on Friday afternoon ahead of their clash against Sydney at Metricon Stadium on Sunday with both big men on the flight.

All-Australian fancy Darcy hobbled off Optus Stadium late in Fremantle’s horror loss to Geelong last Thursday night with a left knee issue which looked to be troubling him throughout the match.

Longmuir was upbeat about Darcy’s availability to take on former West Coast ruck Tom Hickey, but he will need to pass a fitness test first.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Meek, 23, is set to partner him in the ruck in what will be his first AFL appearance since round four and fifth of his career.

“We think Sean will get up, we’re really confident with that,” Longmuir told SEN.

The Game AFL 2024

MORE FREMANTLE NEWS:

“We’ll tick it off finally at our captain’s run once we get over to Metricon but we’re pretty confident he’ll get up.”

Towering forward-ruck Rory Lobb (ankle), Sam Switkowski (hamstring), Blake Acres and Ethan Hughes (both omitted) are out of the side.

Lobb hurt his ankle during the Cats clash and was subbed out at half-time, while Switkowski’s injury happened at training on Thursday.

Fremantle’s leading goal kicker for 2021, key forward Matt Taberner, has been named for his first appearance since round 15.

Taberner, who has kicked 27.15 in 11 games this season, is back from a calf injury.

Intercept-marking defender Hayden Young is another big inclusion after getting through two consecutive games in the WAFL following a significant hamstring injury, with fellow stopper Hughes making way.

Draftee Nathan O’Driscoll will have to wait at least another week for his AFL debut after he was named as a non-travelling emergency.

O’Driscoll, who will play for the club’s WAFL affiliate Peel Thunder against West Perth at Joondalup on Saturday afternoon, is “a couple of good games away from pressing for a debut” according to Longmuir.

Pick 27 in last year’s national draft, the Perth Demons and Northam export has been building nicely in the twos after a delayed start to the season with a shoulder injury.

“That was probably reward for his form over the last two, three, four weeks,” Longmuir said.

“We feel like he’s really improved on parts of his game. He’s probably still a couple of good games away from pressing for a debut but he’s earned the right to be named in the (extended) squad and given that recognition.”

Last week’s medical substitute Brandon Walker has held his spot, named on the bench alongside Bailey Banfield, Caleb Serong and Meek.

Luckless veteran Stephen Hill was named for his return from a hamstring injury, while fellow Falcons product Acres will also make his senior debut for the Thunder after getting dropped from the AFL side.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails