Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says he'll give Anthony Morabito an extra big hug this week, but the in-form midfielder may have to wait a bit longer before getting what he truly desires - an AFL recall.
Morabito is no certainty to make his long-awaited Dockers return this week despite producing a string of hot performances in the WAFL.
Last Saturday, Morabito tallied 28 possessions and two goals in Peel Thunder's upset win over Perth.
Two weeks earlier, Morabito tore it up with 28 possessions and three goals.
Rumours are building that Morabito, who has undergone three knee reconstructions since 2010, is becoming frustrated at the length of time he's been forced to wait for his AFL recall.
The 22-year-old is no guarantee to return for Saturday's western derby against West Coast, but Lyon hopes the hard-running wingman won't become too despondent.
"All I know is we've got our arms wrapped firmly around Anthony, Sid Lyon on Wednesday.
"I'll just put them around him, squeeze him a little bit tighter and support him a little bit more.
"He's a great person. It's been an incredible challenge and it's great we're talking about it.
"And at some point he will play football. Is it this week? Maybe, but maybe not.
"No one who wants to pick Anthony more than me, beyond Anthony and his parents I would imagine, and his manager.
"But as I always say, not too many guys are walking into my office to say, 'Anthony (can) have my spot', so he has to fight for his spot like everyone else."
Dockers ruckman Zac Clarke is battling a sore knee and will need to pass a fitness test on Thursday if he is to keep his spot in the team.
Should Clarke be ruled out, Jonathon Griffin is in line to return for the first time since injuring his knee in round seven last year.
Fremantle have won their past five games to move into fourth spot on the table, and they are hot favourites to extend their derby winning streak to five games.
Lyon praised the influence of midfielder David Mundy, who will notch his 200-game milestone this weekend.
"He's one of our real team drivers and team leaders and he's been helping drag us through the season, so expect that to continue," Lyon said.
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