As the GIANTS prepare to face an inconsistent Fremantle side at Spotless Stadium on Saturday afternoon, we take a look at the news out of Fremantle’s training HQ in Cockburn.
The Dockers’ hopes of claiming their first-ever win at Spotless Stadium suffered a major blow when Michael Walters (knee) and Lee Spurr (calf) were injured during their 52-point loss to Hawthorn.
Walters went down late in the game, with scans later revealing a season-ending posterior cruciate ligament tear.
Speaking on Thursday, Fremantle Head Coach Ross Lyon said the Dockers might turn to Lachie Weller to fill the hole left in the midfield by Walters.
“(Walters) has been going through there, so that’s a bit of a challenge (to replace him),” Lyon said.
“Maybe we’ll look at a Lachie Weller through the midfield, because ultimately that’s what he was drafted as, an inside mid.
“Is he (an inside midfielder) in AFL footy? That’s debatable, he’s sort of finishing his schooling off - forward, back, wing and the next piece is inside.”
Lyon aslo hinted at moving Connor Blakely back into the midfield. The 21-year-old has been in solid form after spending the last month playing off Fremantle’s half back line.
“Obviously a few guys want to see him back in there, the midfield coaches, but he’s blossomed really quickly down back which surprised us all, he’s really enjoying it,” Lyon said.
“As a young player, he’s got plenty to learn still in the midfield, they’re very crafty in there.
“It’s good to be able to have two areas that you can go to and play at a good level.”
While Walters’ absence is a headache for Fremantle’s midfielder structure, it also presents a challenge for their forward line.
The Dockers will need to find another avenue to goal, with the small forward leading the team in both goals (22) and goal assists (16).
Medium sized forward Brady Grey could be set to return after kicking two goals and collecting 20 disposals for Peel Thunder in the WAFL, while key forward Matt Taberner has also been in goal kicking form, bagging 18 goals in six games.
“Matt is no silver bullet for us, he’s got plenty of things to work on,” Lyon said.
“The simple measure of kicking a few goals in the WAFL, that’s not the measure.”
Meanwhile emerging Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy is preparing to battle one of his childhood heroes in Shane Mumford.
“Mumford’s someone that I’ve looked up to a fair bit. Since I was in the juniors he’s probably been my biggest idol but I’ll see how I go when I take him on,” Darcy said.
“It’s a big challenge and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
Standing at 202cm and weighing in at 110kg in his draft year, Darcy has earnt favourable comparisons to Mumford, who has a similar frame at 199cm and 108kg.
The GIANTS take on Fremantle as the showpiece game in the 2017 Toyota AFL Multicultural Round at 2.10pm on Saturday, July 29 at Spotless Stadium. Click here for tickets.
