Fremantle Training Notes: Sean Darcy, Michael Walters, Nat Fyfe and Jaeger O'Meara keep low profiles
Four big names were conspicuously absent from Fremantle's last training session before Saturday's clash with North Melbourne at Optus Stadium.
Sean Darcy and Michael Walters walked laps before training, but did not appear in the main session, Nat Fyfe made a fleeting appearance and did some solo skills work, while Jaeger O'Meara was also a no show.
There may be no reason to panic, however, as the Dockers have made a habit of changing up their major sessions between Tuesday and Thursday in recent weeks.
Darcy and Fyfe returned from injury in Fremantle's last game, a stunning road win against Gold Coast at People First Stadium.
Darcy was on managed minutes while Fyfe wore the subs vest and had a major impact when he was injected into the game in the final quarter.
Walters is due to play his first game of the season after recovering from a knee injury and will also be on managed minutes.
O'Meara has been sidelined with hamstring and foot injuries since round seven and was this week listed as a test.
WALKER WALKS THE WALK
Brandon Walker has sped through his recovery from a shoulder injury and has resumed training with teammates. Walker hasn't played since round two but could be available to return next week.
He was listed as three weeks away prior to the Dockers' bye last round but has leapt to the front of the queue within a week, now rated just one week away from resuming, probably in the WAFL.
Walker trained at high intensity yesterday at Cockburn and will be welcomed back, given fellow running half-back Cooper Simpson is sidelined for another six to seven weeks after surgery on an A-C joint.
Walker was spotted talking to teammates on the boundary line yesterday with his arm in a sling.
YOU CAN'T TAKE THE TASSIE OUT OF THE BOY
There was a mid-winter chill in the air at Cockburn, but it didn't matter to Tasmanian native Alex Pearce.
The injured captain was spotted on the boundary line walking around with his shirt off.
It is not an unfamiliar sight.
Pearce hails from the wind-whipped north coast of the Apple Isle, and it probably seemed quite balmy.
The key defender has been ruled out of Saturday's game against North Melbourne but the club is hopeful he will be cleared of a leg injury in time to play against Essendon next week.
Pearce sat out the team's win over Gold Coast before the bye after a scan uncovered a stress reaction in his leg.
WAITING IN THE WINGS
Winger Nathan O'Driscoll is close to resuming his AFL career, but might have to wait another week in the WAFL.
O'Driscoll has had a frustrating syndesmosis injury, suffered in the Dockers' round four win over the Western Bulldogs.
He resumed a month ago, but the ankle flared up, forcing him to sit out another week.
But he has strung together successive games with Peel Thunder with no recurring soreness and might be set to play against Essendon in round 15.
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