West Coast ruckman Scott Lycett is a chance to be fit for the start of the AFL season after making strong progress in his recovery from a knee operation.
Lycett underwent surgery on his left knee in September after battling a PCL injury during the second half of the 2016 campaign.
Although Lycett was initially set to return in time for round one, West Coast coach Adam Simpson feared the 24-year-old might not be ready until midway through the season after his initial recovery was slower than expected.
However, Lycett's progress has ramped up significantly over the past two months, and he's on track to play in the club's final pre-season match on March 9 against Melbourne.
If he gets through that unscathed, Lycett will be considered for the March 26 round-one clash with North Melbourne.
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"He's training fully now," Simpson said.
"And now it's about getting some games under his belt. That will start next week.
"He'll be pretty close to playing round one or two."
Lycett's looming return places even more heat on the battle for ruck berths.
With Nic Naitanui set to miss most of the season, recruits Drew Petrie and Nathan Vardy are battling hard to lock down a spot.
Jonathan Giles is still recovering from a thumb injury, meaning Vardy and Petrie will share the ruck duties in Saturday's pre-season clash with Fremantle in Geraldton.
The Eagles will unleash a near full-strength squad against the Dockers, with former Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell to debut for his new club.
A top of 37 degrees is forecast on Saturday for Geraldton, but Simpson says it hasn't scared him away from playing his big guns and prized recruits.
"We need to get the chemistry going as quick as we can," he said.
Simpson said he expected the AFL to enact the heat policy, which would reduce quarters to 22 minutes, and extend the quarter-time break to eight minutes.
"It probably means we need to play less players (otherwise) we won't get the minutes in," he said.
Fremantle will also unleash a strong squad, with new skipper Nat Fyfe named to make his return from a fractured leg.
Recruits Bradley Hill, Shane Kersten, Joel Hamling and Cam McCarthy have also been named.
