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Call-up looms for Fyfe after Young cut down again

Call-up looms for Fyfe after Young cut down again

Perth Now2 days ago
Dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe could receive an SOS call as early as this week as Fremantle attempt to fill the void left by another frustrating injury to Hayden Young.
Young tweaked his groin in Fremantle's 27-point win over Carlton at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
The 24-year-old was playing just his third game back from hamstring surgery, and his groin setback leaves a massive hole in the midfield.
Fremantle initially struggled against Carlton without Young's big body and class, with the Dockers trailing by 24 points at half-time before Jaeger O'Meara's move to the midfield to quell the influence of George Hewett helped turn the tables.
Fyfe has missed most of the season after injuring his hamstring soon after returning from knee surgery.
The 33-year-old made his belated return in round 12, before injuring his calf just three matches later while warming up at half-time when he was the sub.
Fyfe's latest bid to get back in the AFL side began on Saturday when he racked up 27 disposals, six tackles and five clearances while playing for Peel Thunder in the WAFL.
That huge display came despite him being rested for the entire final quarter, with Fyfe now a chance to return to the AFL side for Saturday night's clash with the Power in Adelaide.
"I thought he was the best player on the ground for his 60 minutes," Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said of Fyfe.
"He only played 60 minutes though, so we'll have a chat during the week.
"He'll be involved in that and work out his next progression and whether there's a spot in the side."
Asked whether Fyfe needed some continuity first, Longmuir replied: "A little bit, but we're running out of time in the season and we need to put our best team out there to win next week.
"A lot of things will come into consideration with him and Alex Pearce coming back, but we need to get going as well.
"So we'll see what it spits out at selection."
If Fyfe plays, there's a strong chance he will be the sub.
His bigger body and experience could prove crucial if the game is on the line late on.
Pearce has played just one of Fremantle's past nine matches due to a hot spot in his shin, but is in line to return against Port.
Fremantle have just three more matches - against Port, Brisbane and the Bulldogs - before the finals begin, so the race is on for Young to overcome his injury and build up fitness.
Although Young's groin injury isn't considered serious, it further compromises his season given he has already suffered two hamstring tears this year.
"Today's injury was just a bit unlucky and a bit more of a twisting action," Longmuir said.
"But yeah, when you miss as much work as he did over pre-season, and he's had repeat hammies, it puts you in serious risk when you come back."
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