Latest news with #Fremantle
West Australian
2 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Former Fremantle Dockers teammate says young players will lean on experience of Nat Fyfe at end of season
A long-time teammate of Nat Fyfe says Fremantle will need the two-time Brownlow medallist's cool head in the big moments on their run to the finals. Fyfe was not named in the Dockers' team to take on Carlton at Optus Stadium on Sunday and will instead return from his latest injury setback in Peel Thunder's clash with Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday. The 33-year-old injured his calf during a half-time warm-up during his team's round 17 win over St Kilda. Justin Longmuir could take an unchanged side into the match against the under-fire Blues, with no omissions named in the Dockers' preliminary squad on Thursday afternoon. The Dockers continue to take a cautious approach with captain Alex Pearce, but say the full-back is on track to overcome his shin injury in time to play Port Adelaide next Saturday night. Fyfe injured his hamstring early in his first WAFL appearance of the season, against South Fremantle in round two. Fremantle threw him in at the deep end the next time they needed to return him to the side, by bringing him straight back in as the substitute. He will return on managed minutes against Claremont. The cautious approach this time around comes with the club on track to play finals for just the second time since 2015. Michael Walters' retirement leaves Fyfe as the last remaining player from the Dockers' only grand final appearance in 2013. Former Fremantle defender Ethan Hughes said the club's young players will lean on the veteran's finals experience late in the season. 'I feel like they would rather have him coming in for the last couple of weeks, just to try and get some match fitness into him first,' Hughes told The West Australian. 'That element of him having played a lot of football and some finals football in the past is really going to help that side grow. 'Even just his leadership and voice coming from the bench or just assisting guys getting set up in the high-pressure moments, I think that's really going to help the group.' Defender Brandon Walker is one of three potential inclusions and could play just his third game of the season and first since he suffered a serious shoulder injury against Sydney in round two. In-and-out backman Josh Draper has also been added to the extended bench, alongside midfielder Will Brodie, who has been in the football wilderness since early 2023. Former Fremantle player Adam Cerra will not face his old club. He has knee soreness and will sit out, alongside key forward Charlie Curnow — who will have surgery for a knee injury — and retired club great Sam Docherty.
West Australian
3 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Fremantle skipper Alex Pearce to miss a fourth consecutive game as former captain Nat Fyfe set for WAFL return
Fremantle captain Alex Pearce will miss a fourth-consecutive game with a shin injury after not being named to take on Carlton at Optus Stadium on Sunday. It comes as dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe is set to suit up in the WAFL once again this season when Peel Thunder take on Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium as he works his way back from a calf injury. Pearce was listed as a test to take on the Blues, having suited up just once since round 11 because of a hot spot in his shin which has derailed his season. However, the 30-year-old won't return despite training strongly on Wednesday and pushing to play as the Dockers look to cement themselves in the top eight and finals for the first time since 2022. It is believed Pearce is unlikely to play in the WAFL for the Thunder, while Fyfe is set to suit up for Peel for the second time the fifth time this year having played three pre-season games as well as a league game in round two — when he sustained a hamstring strain. Fremantle have so far only added midfielder Will Brodie, defender Brandon Walker and key defender Josh Draper to an extended bench from the side that defeated West Coast by 49 points in the western derby at the weekend. Brodie is a chance to play his first AFL game since round seven, 2023 after racking up 41 touches and a goal in a win against West Coast's WAFL side on Sunday. Walker has been unable to force his way back into Fremantle's side after he injured his shoulder in the round two defeat to Sydney, while Josh Draper last played in round 15 against Essendon. Carlton will be forced to make at least three changes after the club revealed key spearhead Charlie Curnow would miss the rest of the season after he had minor knee surgery to fix a problem which developed after last week's loss to Hawthorn. Former Docker Adam Cerra will also miss with injury, while veteran Sam Docherty has retired. The Blues have named six potential inclusions in Francis Evans, Lewis Young, Flynn Young, Jaxon Binns, Jordan Boyd and Hudson O'Keefe. Fremantle v Carlton Sunday, Optus Stadium, 3.10pm DOCKERS B: L Ryan B Cox O McDonald HB: H Chapman K Worner J Clark C: J O'Meara H Young N O'Driscoll HF: S Switkowski P Voss S Bolton F: M Frederick J Treacy J Amiss FOLL: L Jackson C Serong A Brayshaw I/C: S Darcy M Reid W Brodie B Banfield N Erasmus B Walker I Dudley J Draper IN: W Brodie B Walker J Draper BLUES B: A Saad J Weitering M Carroll HB: L Cowan H O'Farrell N Haynes C: B Acres P Cripps C Lord HF: Z Williams J Motlop O Hollands F: L Fogarty H McKay W White FOLL: T De Koning G Hewett A Moir I/C: M Pittonet F Young L Young F Evans C Durdin J Binns J Boyd H O'Keeffe IN: F Young L Young F Evans J Binns J Boyd H O'Keeffe OUT: S Docherty (retired) C Curnow A Cerra (both injured)
7NEWS
3 hours ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Carlton announce Charlie Curnow's season ended by latest knee operation
Carlton have announced Charlie Curnow's season is over after it was decided the key forward required knee surgery. The 28-year-old, who has a long history of knee troubles, reported soreness after last Thursday's loss to Hawthorn. The call to go under the knife comes after Curnow missed the start of the 2025 campaign following a knee operation in December last year. Curnow, who was not expected to face Fremantle in Perth on Sunday, was adamant last week that he would not require surgery despite his issues this year. In a statement on Thursday night, Carlton football boss Brad Lloyd said Curnow 'wanted to finish the season' but the club overruled the key forward. 'We would have loved to have him out there for the remaining games,' Lloyd said. 'After further consultation this week it became clear that this would give Charlie the best chance to get himself right, recover fully over the off-season and be ready for when we return for the start of pre-season. 'Waiting until the end of the season could have impacted that, so we've taken the sensible approach.' Curnow missed two years of football across 2019-21 with knee injuries before returning to become a dual Coleman medallist. But his 2025 campaign ends with 32 goals to his name from 18 appearances for a struggling Blues side that has long been out of finals contention. Curnow recently shut down speculation that he could request a trade, following revelations he entertained the idea of moving to the Gold Coast Suns.
West Australian
a day ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Carlton key forward Charlie Curnow ruled out of Fremantle Dockers clash in massive Blues blow
Carlton's task of causing a boilover in the west has been hit by a massive injury blow, with an ex-Docker also racing to be fit to face his former side. The Blues have won seven of their past eight clashes against the Dockers, with spearhead Charlie Curnow proving vital - kicking 12 goals in his past three games against them. But he won't be there on Sunday after it was revealed he pulled up sore following Carlton's loss to Hawthorn and failed to train during the week. 'Charlie Curnow is expected to sit out the trip to play Fremantle,' Mitch Cleary reported on Channel 7. 'Curnow pulled up sore from the loss to Hawthorn and failed to join teammates at training yesterday, five days on from that game.' Despite the Blues' struggles this season, Curnow has remained one of their best with 32 goals and has not missed a game since round one. His absence could allow Fremantle to take the safe route with captain Alex Pearce, given the Blues will likely have only Harry McKay as the primary key forward threat. Pearce has been dealing with shin soreness, playing just one game since May, and was listed as a test to play this weekend. While Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir was confident they could bring Pearce back, he admitted it wasn't without risk. 'I can't say 100 per cent though. The loads of a game are a lot different to the loads you can put him up to at training,' Longmuir said. 'There's always that risk but we feel like he's done the work and he's in a good spot.' The Blues could also be without former Docker Adam Cerra, after he was seen with his knee heavily strapped at training this week. Cerra has averaged more than 27 disposals across his past three games against the Dockers and he would be a massive loss given the calibre of Fremantle's midfield.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Blues star out as former Docker in doubt for trip west
The Blues face challenges with key players set to miss or be in doubt for their upcoming match. Charlie Curnow is expected to sit out, while Adam Cerra's fitness is uncertain due to a knee injury. However, there is a positive update on Sam Walsh's re Carlton's task of causing a boilover in the west has been hit by a massive injury blow, with an ex-Docker also racing to be fit to face his former side. The Blues have won seven of their past eight clashes against the Dockers, with spearhead Charlie Curnow proving vital - kicking 12 goals in his past three games against them. But he won't be there on Sunday after it was revealed he pulled up sore following Carlton's loss to Hawthorn and failed to train during the week. 'Charlie Curnow is expected to sit out the trip to play Fremantle,' Mitch Cleary reported on Channel 7. 'Curnow pulled up sore from the loss to Hawthorn and failed to join teammates at training yesterday, five days on from that game.' Despite the Blues' struggles this season, Curnow has remained one of their best with 32 goals and has not missed a game since round one. His absence could allow Fremantle to take the safe route with captain Alex Pearce, given the Blues will likely have only Harry McKay as the primary key forward threat. Pearce has been dealing with shin soreness, playing just one game since May, and was listed as a test to play this weekend. While Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir was confident they could bring Pearce back, he admitted it wasn't without risk. 'I can't say 100 per cent though. The loads of a game are a lot different to the loads you can put him up to at training,' Longmuir said. 'There's always that risk but we feel like he's done the work and he's in a good spot.' The Blues could also be without former Docker Adam Cerra, after he was seen with his knee heavily strapped at training this week. Cerra has averaged more than 27 disposals across his past three games against the Dockers and he would be a massive loss given the calibre of Fremantle's midfield.
