Fremantle Dockers star Hayden Young ‘unlikely' to return against Brisbane Lions, says coach Justin Longmuir
It comes as Longmuir backed retiring champion Nat Fyfe to be able to play a full game if needed before his illustrious career comes to an end.
Young has been listed as a test to take on the Lions at Optus Stadium after he injured his groin in the Dockers' win over Carlton earlier this month.
The Glendinning-Allan medallist had also battled a persistent hamstring injury throughout the year which required surgery.
Longmuir said the 24-year-old was 'unlikely' to take on the Lions as they look to seal a spot in finals for the first time since 2022.
'That's a tricky one. He's got to get through training first, which in my mind is pretty unlikely for this week with the way it sits right now,' he said.
'We want to get some work into him, we want to make sure when he's back he's resilient.
'We'll work through that but it's probably unlikely this week.'
More to come
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The Advertiser
39 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
No Fyfe farewell yet: Longmuir bullish on finals hopes
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has told Nat Fyfe there won't be any farewells just yet as the Dockers brace themselves for a make-or-break final-round game against the Western Bulldogs. Friday night's 57-point loss to Brisbane has left Fremantle's finals hopes hanging by a thread, with the game against the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Sunday week set to decide the Dockers' fate. The retiring Fyfe was given a guard of honour by both Brisbane and Fremantle after the Lions' impressive 15.11 (101) to 5.14 (44) win at Optus Stadium. Supersub Fyfe came on for the start of the final quarter and finished with eight disposals and one clearance. Even if Fremantle beat the Bulldogs next week, it may not be enough to earn them a home final, meaning Fyfe may not get the chance to play in front of the Purple Army again. Fyfe will no doubt be the centre of attention leading into Fremantle's final-round fixture, but Longmuir believes there are still a few more games left to play for the two-time Brownlow medallist. "I haven't said my farewells to him yet. I told him that after the game. We've got plenty of footy left in us," a defiant Longmuir said. "We've won 11 of our last 13. I know everyone will be doom and gloom and write us off again after tonight, but I've got a lot of faith in this team. "It didn't go our way tonight, but like I said to them after the game, we'll review it the same way, get better, dust ourselves off and we'll go again." Fremantle missed the finals last year with a 12-10-1 record, losing their last four games to fall from third to 10th. The Dockers (15-7) could suffer a similar fate this year, but Longmuir is backing his maturing group to get the job done. "We've grown a lot. We've already won three more games than last year," Longmuir said. "We were playing in spits and spurts at the start of the year, we've got some players back and found our groove. "It didn't give our way tonight, but everyone wants to talk about the last four games of last year. "We had some injuries through that period to really key players. People forget about that as well. "But we'll get better, and take our best over to Melbourne and play the Dogs." In a huge boost for Fremantle, star midfielder Hayden Young is on track to return from an adductor strain against the Bulldogs. "He's a good chance for next week," Longmuir said. "We've got longer break. We'll be able to get some work into him, and he's a good chance." Fremantle conceded the opening five goals on Friday and had 0.8 to their name before finally kicking their first major late in the second term. Longmuir wasn't sure whether the weight of the occasion or the emotion surrounding Fyfe's retirement had affected the group. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has told Nat Fyfe there won't be any farewells just yet as the Dockers brace themselves for a make-or-break final-round game against the Western Bulldogs. Friday night's 57-point loss to Brisbane has left Fremantle's finals hopes hanging by a thread, with the game against the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Sunday week set to decide the Dockers' fate. The retiring Fyfe was given a guard of honour by both Brisbane and Fremantle after the Lions' impressive 15.11 (101) to 5.14 (44) win at Optus Stadium. Supersub Fyfe came on for the start of the final quarter and finished with eight disposals and one clearance. Even if Fremantle beat the Bulldogs next week, it may not be enough to earn them a home final, meaning Fyfe may not get the chance to play in front of the Purple Army again. Fyfe will no doubt be the centre of attention leading into Fremantle's final-round fixture, but Longmuir believes there are still a few more games left to play for the two-time Brownlow medallist. "I haven't said my farewells to him yet. I told him that after the game. We've got plenty of footy left in us," a defiant Longmuir said. "We've won 11 of our last 13. I know everyone will be doom and gloom and write us off again after tonight, but I've got a lot of faith in this team. "It didn't go our way tonight, but like I said to them after the game, we'll review it the same way, get better, dust ourselves off and we'll go again." Fremantle missed the finals last year with a 12-10-1 record, losing their last four games to fall from third to 10th. The Dockers (15-7) could suffer a similar fate this year, but Longmuir is backing his maturing group to get the job done. "We've grown a lot. We've already won three more games than last year," Longmuir said. "We were playing in spits and spurts at the start of the year, we've got some players back and found our groove. "It didn't give our way tonight, but everyone wants to talk about the last four games of last year. "We had some injuries through that period to really key players. People forget about that as well. "But we'll get better, and take our best over to Melbourne and play the Dogs." In a huge boost for Fremantle, star midfielder Hayden Young is on track to return from an adductor strain against the Bulldogs. "He's a good chance for next week," Longmuir said. "We've got longer break. We'll be able to get some work into him, and he's a good chance." Fremantle conceded the opening five goals on Friday and had 0.8 to their name before finally kicking their first major late in the second term. Longmuir wasn't sure whether the weight of the occasion or the emotion surrounding Fyfe's retirement had affected the group. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has told Nat Fyfe there won't be any farewells just yet as the Dockers brace themselves for a make-or-break final-round game against the Western Bulldogs. Friday night's 57-point loss to Brisbane has left Fremantle's finals hopes hanging by a thread, with the game against the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Sunday week set to decide the Dockers' fate. The retiring Fyfe was given a guard of honour by both Brisbane and Fremantle after the Lions' impressive 15.11 (101) to 5.14 (44) win at Optus Stadium. Supersub Fyfe came on for the start of the final quarter and finished with eight disposals and one clearance. Even if Fremantle beat the Bulldogs next week, it may not be enough to earn them a home final, meaning Fyfe may not get the chance to play in front of the Purple Army again. Fyfe will no doubt be the centre of attention leading into Fremantle's final-round fixture, but Longmuir believes there are still a few more games left to play for the two-time Brownlow medallist. "I haven't said my farewells to him yet. I told him that after the game. We've got plenty of footy left in us," a defiant Longmuir said. "We've won 11 of our last 13. I know everyone will be doom and gloom and write us off again after tonight, but I've got a lot of faith in this team. "It didn't go our way tonight, but like I said to them after the game, we'll review it the same way, get better, dust ourselves off and we'll go again." Fremantle missed the finals last year with a 12-10-1 record, losing their last four games to fall from third to 10th. The Dockers (15-7) could suffer a similar fate this year, but Longmuir is backing his maturing group to get the job done. "We've grown a lot. We've already won three more games than last year," Longmuir said. "We were playing in spits and spurts at the start of the year, we've got some players back and found our groove. "It didn't give our way tonight, but everyone wants to talk about the last four games of last year. "We had some injuries through that period to really key players. People forget about that as well. "But we'll get better, and take our best over to Melbourne and play the Dogs." In a huge boost for Fremantle, star midfielder Hayden Young is on track to return from an adductor strain against the Bulldogs. "He's a good chance for next week," Longmuir said. "We've got longer break. We'll be able to get some work into him, and he's a good chance." Fremantle conceded the opening five goals on Friday and had 0.8 to their name before finally kicking their first major late in the second term. Longmuir wasn't sure whether the weight of the occasion or the emotion surrounding Fyfe's retirement had affected the group.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
No Fyfe farewell yet: Longmuir bullish on finals hopes
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has told Nat Fyfe there won't be any farewells just yet as the Dockers brace themselves for a make-or-break final-round game against the Western Bulldogs. Friday night's 57-point loss to Brisbane has left Fremantle's finals hopes hanging by a thread, with the game against the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Sunday week set to decide the Dockers' fate. The retiring Fyfe was given a guard of honour by both Brisbane and Fremantle after the Lions' impressive 15.11 (101) to 5.14 (44) win at Optus Stadium. Supersub Fyfe came on for the start of the final quarter and finished with eight disposals and one clearance. Even if Fremantle beat the Bulldogs next week, it may not be enough to earn them a home final, meaning Fyfe may not get the chance to play in front of the Purple Army again. Fyfe will no doubt be the centre of attention leading into Fremantle's final-round fixture, but Longmuir believes there are still a few more games left to play for the two-time Brownlow medallist. "I haven't said my farewells to him yet. I told him that after the game. We've got plenty of footy left in us," a defiant Longmuir said. "We've won 11 of our last 13. I know everyone will be doom and gloom and write us off again after tonight, but I've got a lot of faith in this team. "It didn't go our way tonight, but like I said to them after the game, we'll review it the same way, get better, dust ourselves off and we'll go again." Fremantle missed the finals last year with a 12-10-1 record, losing their last four games to fall from third to 10th. The Dockers (15-7) could suffer a similar fate this year, but Longmuir is backing his maturing group to get the job done. "We've grown a lot. We've already won three more games than last year," Longmuir said. "We were playing in spits and spurts at the start of the year, we've got some players back and found our groove. "It didn't give our way tonight, but everyone wants to talk about the last four games of last year. "We had some injuries through that period to really key players. People forget about that as well. "But we'll get better, and take our best over to Melbourne and play the Dogs." In a huge boost for Fremantle, star midfielder Hayden Young is on track to return from an adductor strain against the Bulldogs. "He's a good chance for next week," Longmuir said. "We've got longer break. We'll be able to get some work into him, and he's a good chance." Fremantle conceded the opening five goals on Friday and had 0.8 to their name before finally kicking their first major late in the second term. Longmuir wasn't sure whether the weight of the occasion or the emotion surrounding Fyfe's retirement had affected the group.
Perth Now
7 hours ago
- Perth Now
'I'll always be a Fremantle person': Fyfe's parting message
'I'll always be a Fremantle person'. That was the final message from an emotional Nat Fyfe to a heaving Optus Stadium crowd as the Dockers legend received a guard of honour after what could be his last match in WA. Fyfe lapped up the love from adoring Freo fans after his club's loss to Brisbane, with the mood quickly turning from sombre to appreciative after the Dockers' loss as attention turned to the retiring superstar. The two-time Brownlow medallist did a quick lap of honour to acknowledge the Purple Army before heading down the race flanked by a guard of honour from teammates and Lions rivals. PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 15: Nat Fyfe of the Dockers acknowledges supporters while walking thru a guard of honour after announcing his retirement during the round 23 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium on August 15, 2025 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by) Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images Fyfe gave the thumbs-up and clapped to the crowd and hugged a string of important figures in the line-up before exiting the arena, with the Dockers now facing a tough task to ensure it won't be his last WA fixture. 'I've had an amazing journey across my career and always been supported by our Fremantle family,' Fyfe said on Fox after the game. 'They've always supported me, and I could hear them whenever I got the ball. Nat Fyfe shares a moment with his father David. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty Images 'It's very strange. It's not my style to announce a retirement then keep going - I would have liked to have just disappeared quietly. 'But I will soak in every single minute. This could be the last time I'm out here, and if that's so, that's OK.' Fyfe had an impact with eight disposals and four inside-50s in his final quarter cameo after coming on, with every disposal cheered by Freo's record crowd for a non-derby clash of 54,302. The fans were eager to show their support for Fyfe early despite him again starting as the substitute, with several fans making their presence felt along the boundary line with homemade signs before the game. Nat Fyfe fans were everywhere. Credit: Justin Benson Cooper / The West Australian The club also got in on the occasion by handing out 10,000 posters of the two-time Brownlow medallist as the capacity crowd entered Optus Stadium. A planned ovation at the seven-minute mark — the number Fyfe has worn for all but one of his 16 seasons with the Dockers — was only observed by small segments of the crowd, but their applause was audible around the ground. Fremantle will need to beat the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium next week to secure their finals spot, or hope other results go their way if they don't.
