Fremantle are in danger of copping a Simonds Stadium AFL shellacking with captain Nat Fyfe the latest star to be ruled out of Sunday's clash with Geelong.
He was named initially in Fremantle's 25-man squad, but was withdrawn on Friday after the team's training session.
The Dockers say Fyfe has a bruised sternum - an injury the Brownlow medallist has been battling for several weeks.
He even wore a chest guard in the 57-point loss to Brisbane before the bye - a game in which he tallied just 18 disposals.
Fremantle are optimistic Fyfe will return for next week's home match against St Kilda.
Earlier this week, coach Ross Lyon played down the significance of Fyfe's injury, saying it was a minor issue the skipper didn't want to make a fuss about.
"There's no doubt on him," Lyon said.
"Clearly, he's had some bruising. But that's all it is. There's no fractures."
The loss of Fyfe is a huge blow to Fremantle, who will again be without star ruckman Aaron Sandilands (hamstring).
Sandilands has missed five weeks with a hamstring complaint.
And with his back-up Jon Griffin (calf) also injured, debutant Sean Darcy will lead the ruck division against a star-studded Geelong midfield.
Darcy, who stands at 201cm and weighs in at 111kg, was selected with pick No.38 in last year's national draft.
Geelong will be boosted by the return of forward Tom Hawkins and big man Mark Blicavs, while goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne returns for the Dockers.
The Cats are smarting from last week's 13-point loss to West Coast, and are expected to post a big win against the undermanned Dockers.
Share
