Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich is set to play in Saturday night’s crunch clash with Geelong after recovering from concussion.
Pavlich took an elbow to the face in last week’s win over Carlton. Twelve days before that incident, Pavlich received a heavy knock to the head in a marking contest against St Kilda.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon was preparing to be without Pavlich this week after the 32-year-old failed a concussion test, but the veteran has since passed the CogState concussion test, and Lyon is optimistic Pavlich will be able to play against the Cats at Simonds Stadium.
“Now I’m preparing for him to play,” Lyon said. “There’s no reason why he shouldn’t play, as long as he doesn’t become symptomatic later in the week. It’s a roller coaster ride, isn’t it? He’s in good shape.”
Utility player Tendai Mzungu will miss the game due to a hamstring injury, and Colin Sylvia has been ruled out for several weeks because of his own hamstring injury.
But Michael Walters, who has been grounded by an ankle injury since round three, will return to playing duties via the WAFL on Saturday. Walters has been back in full training for several weeks, and Lyon says the 23-year-old was raring to go.
Geelong midfielder Steve Johnson has been cleared to play against the Dockers after having his suspension for keening overturned.