Fremantle manager Justin Longmuir trusts Rory Lobb to return to his dual role as forward in Saturday night’s playoff final against the Western Bulldogs.
Lobb has barely pulled back since injuring his right shoulder in the round of 16 lost to Sydney.
The 29-year-old missed the Round 19 tie with Richmond through injury and was once again forced to retire for the final round win over the GWS after grabbing his shoulder a week earlier.
Losing that match with the Giants means Lobb now has three weeks off and the move has done him good shoulder in the world.
Longmuir confirmed that Lobb will be able to return to his reserve role against the Bulldogs, with Griffin Logue (adductor) also cleared to return in what is a significant double push to the team’s forward action.
“They lost a game. They will get their share back perfectly, “Longmuir told reporters Thursday.
“The lobby was our favorite option (as a backup ruckman). She responded well to two weeks off. She refreshed him.
“He’s had problems, he’s 100 percent.”
Fremantle took a hit this week when captain Nat Fyfe was sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The loss of Fyfe means the Dockers would be desperate to get back in shape and get Matt Taberner back on the attack line.
Taberner has recovered from the calf strain, but his lack of fitness and the fact that he’s been knocked out three times this season due to injury mean he’s likely to return via the WAFL this weekend.
“He didn’t have a good run with the injury and got injured during matches this year, so everything comes into play,” Longmuir said of the selection dilemma.
Fyfe was on track on Thursday to get some exercise, which is a good sign that his hamstring injury isn’t too serious.
No timeline has been set for her return, but it’s likely that Fremantle will have to make it through September for the two-time Brownlow medalist to play again this season.
“He has done a really great job of showing a brave face around the players and not letting his disappointment affect others, and that’s a sign of good leadership,” said Longmuir.
Dogs also suffered a huge setback when midfielder Tom Liberatore was sent off with a hamstring injury.
“It’s a gun and it’s an authorization beast,” Longmuir said.
“But I think they can cover it. They have a lot of armed midfielders.
“I expect (Josh) Dunkley or Bont (Marcus Bontempelli) or (Adam) Treloar or (Bailey) Smith to take a little more responsibility for the break.”