
Young and Johnson both chances to take on Bulldogs
Fellow midfielder Matthew Johnson is also a chance to return to the team from an ankle injury.
The pair will test their fitness at Wednesday's main training session.
Young has been sidelined with a groin injury since the round 21 win over Carlton, while Johnson has missed four weeks after suffering an ankle injury in the win over Collingwood.
'They (Young and Johnson) completed a game simulation session on the weekend,' Fremantle high performance manager Phil Merriman said.
'Both are looking really good and need to get through training on Wednesday to be available for selection this weekend.'
Bringing in both Young and Johnson off injury would be a gamble. Hayden Young. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian
The Dockers have already brought several players back from injury in recent weeks. Alex Pearce, Nat Fyfe and Corey Wagner have all returned from lay-offs in the past fortnight. Nat Fyfe played as the sub on Saturday night and Wagner was subbed off.
Longmuir said picking players who are fit enough to perform would be a huge call.
'We just have to work through that,' he said.
'We're getting to the end of the season and sometimes there is a bit more risk at this time of the year with that stuff. We won't be playing any of those players if they are underdone and are 50-50. But if they get through training and put their hand up for selection then we will have the discussion.'
Fremantle are in the same position as last season, needing to win their last match to play finals despite being a top-four contender during the run home. The Dockers have played finals only one since 2015.
The Dockers have already won 15 matches, enough to finish in the top four last season.
Defender James Aish will be unavailable after entering concussion protocols that forced him out of Peel Thunder's Round 19 clash.
'Unfortunately for Jimmy, he worked through the week and just got some delayed symptoms with his concussion,' Merriman said.
'He'll be a miss this week and hopefully will be available after the 12-day protocol.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Perth Now
Young and Johnson both chances to take on Bulldogs
Gun Fremantle midfielder Hayden Young will face a fitness test on a groin injury on Wednesday as the Dockers prepare for a likely sudden-death clash with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium. Fellow midfielder Matthew Johnson is also a chance to return to the team from an ankle injury. The pair will test their fitness at Wednesday's main training session. Young has been sidelined with a groin injury since the round 21 win over Carlton, while Johnson has missed four weeks after suffering an ankle injury in the win over Collingwood. 'They (Young and Johnson) completed a game simulation session on the weekend,' Fremantle high performance manager Phil Merriman said. 'Both are looking really good and need to get through training on Wednesday to be available for selection this weekend.' Bringing in both Young and Johnson off injury would be a gamble. Hayden Young. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian The Dockers have already brought several players back from injury in recent weeks. Alex Pearce, Nat Fyfe and Corey Wagner have all returned from lay-offs in the past fortnight. Nat Fyfe played as the sub on Saturday night and Wagner was subbed off. Longmuir said picking players who are fit enough to perform would be a huge call. 'We just have to work through that,' he said. 'We're getting to the end of the season and sometimes there is a bit more risk at this time of the year with that stuff. We won't be playing any of those players if they are underdone and are 50-50. But if they get through training and put their hand up for selection then we will have the discussion.' Fremantle are in the same position as last season, needing to win their last match to play finals despite being a top-four contender during the run home. The Dockers have played finals only one since 2015. The Dockers have already won 15 matches, enough to finish in the top four last season. Defender James Aish will be unavailable after entering concussion protocols that forced him out of Peel Thunder's Round 19 clash. 'Unfortunately for Jimmy, he worked through the week and just got some delayed symptoms with his concussion,' Merriman said. 'He'll be a miss this week and hopefully will be available after the 12-day protocol.'


West Australian
9 hours ago
- West Australian
Why Fremantle great Kiara Bowers' ‘brilliant' AFLW return didn't take the Dockers by surprise
Fremantle's AFLW footy boss Clare Heffernan has praised club great Kiara Bowers, saying she lived up to the lofty expectations set for herself in her highly-anticipated return. After missing last season due to the birth of her son Luca in August last year, Bowers dominated in the Dockers' season-opening win against Port Adelaide on Sunday. The star midfielder picked up a perfect 10 coaches' votes, ahead of Emma O'Driscoll (seven), Gabby Newton (four), Megan Kauffman (three), Hayley Miller (two), Ash Brazill and Mim Strom (one), while Power forward Justine Mules-Robinson polled two. Heffernan said the 33-year-old's remarkable return didn't take her by surprise because 'the standard for her is so high'. 'She was brilliant,' Heffernan told The West Australian of the 2021 AFLW best and fairest winner. 'She just goes about it in a way that is so understated; she just does all the little things. Her fitness is next level and it was like she hasn't missed a game. It was really impressive.' Heffernan said it was a credit to the three-time All-Australian and four-time club champion's fitness that there were no signs of rust, despite 650 days between AFLW games, as well as a mountain of work in the pre-season. Bowers came equal-first in the club's 1km time trial in May, setting the tone for her comeback season. 'She's got an incredible aerobic base which serves her really well,' she said. 'That, with great genetics, she's got good DNA, and then her work rate is just next level. She's a really impressive athlete.' The Dockers will hope to continue their winning start to the season as they host Brisbane at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday. The Lions made it all the way to the grand final last year, dominated by the Kangaroos in the premiership decider, but are yet to win a game this season following a round one loss to Hawthorn.


West Australian
15 hours ago
- West Australian
Quinton Narkle: Fremantle Dockers midfielder makes call to retire with immediate effect
Quinton Narkle has called time on his AFL career, with the midfielder addressing his Fremantle teammates on Tuesday morning of his decision to retire with immediate effect. It comes as the 27-year-old said he was walking away from the game with 'no regrets' after carving out a 59-game career across almost a decade at three different clubs. Narkle made two appearances for the Dockers earlier this year after being picked up in the pre-season supplemental selection period, most recently in the loss to St Kilda in May. 'I've been fortunate to play at Geelong, Port Adelaide and Fremantle, and spend time at Richmond and Essendon. All up, five clubs in three states, and every one of them gave me great experiences,' Narkle said. 'I've been part of some really strong teams that have enjoyed success, and while at times it was hard missing selection or being on the fringe, I have no regrets. 'I've met incredible people at every stop, many who will be lifelong friends.' The West Australian can reveal Narkle stepped away from the club last week to contemplate his future before deciding on the call to hang up the boots. Narkle began his career at Geelong after being taken with pick No.60 in the 2016 draft out of Perth. He played 41 games for the Cats, including eight in Geelong's 2022 premiership campaign, before being delisted at the end of that year. He was then recruited by Port Adelaide in the 2023 mid-season draft after solid form in Essendon's VFL program, playing 16 games for the Power before he was again cut and given a third chance at the Dockers. Narkle and his young family are set to relocate to the Northern Territory. 'Football gave me so much, but the best thing it gave me was meeting my partner Taylah while I was in Melbourne,' Narkle said. 'Now we've got two little girls who are only a year apart, and they've changed my perspective on life completely. 'Taylah and I will most likely move to Darwin, where she's from, and we'd love to raise our girls in a more relaxed lifestyle there. 'I've lived in three states, spent time across five clubs, and ticked off goals I'm proud of. Now it feels like the right time to start the next chapter.'