Dockers make call on Fyfe and Pearce's fitness for the derby
Fremantle captain Alex Pearce and dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe will be given another week to recover from injuries instead of being rushed back to play in Saturday's western derby, as the Dockers received promising news surrounding midfielder Matthew Johnson.
Fyfe travelled to Victoria to be with the team last weekend and trained strongly after the club's Captain's Run, but won't be considered to play at any level until next week.
The Dockers have taken the same approach with Pearce who has played only one match in the second half of the season due to leg soreness.
Johnson is expected to miss only a small number of games after injuring his ankle against Collingwood on Sunday, as the club breathed a sigh of relief that he'd avoided major damage.
Fremantle have worked hard to carefully re-introduce senior players to the team while winning eight of their last nine games. Hayden Young was influential as the sub against Collingwood in his first match back since injuring his hamstring on May 2. Hayden Young in action. Credit: Robert Cianflone / Getty Images
Forward Sam Switkowski said Young's impact was huge as he prepares to move into the starting 22 against West Coast.
'It was really good to see him back,' Switkowski said.
'He was in the tempo of the game, which is pleasing after having such a stint out. I know first-hand how hard it can be when you've been out for a little while and the coaches put a lot of trust in you to come back in and be able to perform.
'I think he did a great job. It's a good stepping stone for him. He'll get a few more minutes coming up this week.'
Fremantle selected their most experienced team of the year against Collingwood. They had 2177 combined games on the field, which was significantly more than the 1727 games they selected against the Magpies earlier in the season. Fremantle forward Sam Switkowski. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos / AFL Photos via Getty Images
Jaeger O'Meara had 23 possessions against the Pies in his third game back from injury. Switkowski had six score involvements after being best on ground with three goals when returning from injury against Hawthorn last week.
Switkowski said it was no coincidence that the team was playing well when the experienced players were available.
'Personnel is important,' he said.
'We'd love to have our best 22 out there every week. Every team would. Clearly experience is a really important part of the game.
'The guys with experience often are the ones who hold up under pressure, can lift in big games and keep everyone composed like we saw on the weekend. It's been great to have some of those guys back.'
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