Fremantle Dockers key forward Michael Apeness will miss the next six weeks due to a broken collarbone.

Apeness, who was playing his first AFL game since round 17, 2014, injured his collarbone in Freo’s 79 point win against Essendon on Saturday at Domain Stadium.

“Michael was back for his first game in the AFL team and unfortunately he had some very heavy contact,” according to Freo sports science manager Jason Weber.

“He was certainly very committed to those (contests) but came away with a broken collarbone.

“He’s having surgery and he’ll be out for six weeks.”

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Midfielder Clancee Pearce could see a return to the senior side after missing Freo’s past two games due to concussion.

Pearce suffered a concussion after a head clash with Richmond’s Steve Morris in round nine, but Weber said he has since recovered and will be in the main training group this week.

“Clancee has cleared of all his cognitive tests and has returned to training,” he said.

“We look forward to having him involved with the group this week.”

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With Peel Thunder on a bye this week, Weber said the time off would be beneficial for both Freo’s young and experienced players.

“At this stage, with a number of younger players running around in the WAFL it gives us an opportunity to give them a spell,” he said.

“For some of the more senior guys in the group it’s our opportunity to really push them and have them available for senior selection.”