‘It comes with risk’: Dockers weigh up Fyfe, Young call
Justin Chadwick |
Playing Nat Fyfe and Hayden Young in the same team will come with risks, but it’s a roll of the dice Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir appears willing to take as the race for the AFL flag heats up.
The Dockers’ bid for premiership success was given an extra dose of motivation on Monday when Fyfe announced he will be retiring at the end of the season.
The two-time Brownlow medallist is yet to win a flag during his decorated 245-game career, and Fremantle are desperate to send him out a winner.
Fyfe has been beset by injuries this season – the most recent coming when he strained his calf while warming up as the sub in the round-16 win over St Kilda.
The 33-year-old made a successful AFL return as the sub in last week’s six-point win over Port Adelaide, and he’s set to play the same role in Friday night’s blockbuster against the fifth-placed Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium.
Young has also been plagued by injuries this year.
Two hamstring tears – the second of which required surgery – was followed by a first-quarter adductor strain a fortnight ago.
Young is on track to return for next week’s final-round encounter with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
But the question remains – can the Dockers afford to carry two injury-plagued players into the finals?
“It comes with risk,” Longmuir said on Wednesday.
“Those two players, if they get through, they really help us.
“If they get injured – that’s a risk you have to balance at this time of the year.
“Hopefully Fyfey gets through another game this week.
“If Youngy comes back next week after only missing a couple of weeks and has a good week, they’re good discussions to be had at match committee.
“We’re at the pointy end of the season, and no selection is without risk at this time of the year.”
Young was listed as a test to make a surprise early return this week, but Longmuir all but ruled it out on Wednesday.
“We want to get some work into him. We want to make sure when he’s back, he’s resilient,” Longmuir said.
Fremantle (15-6) have won 11 of their past 12 games to surge into fourth spot.
But such is the closeness of the top nine teams, they could miss out on a finals berth altogether if they lose to the Lions and Bulldogs.
Conversely, two wins would be enough to lock away a top-four berth if either Geelong, Collingwood or Gold Coast drop a game.
Longmuir left the door open for Fyfe to play a full game in the coming weeks.
“I think he’s able to hold up to a full game – maybe not this week, but going forward,” Longmuir said.
“But having said that, I think he’s one of the best subs in the comp.”
AAP
