Sean Darcy declared himself ready to lead the ruck against North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein in Fremantle’s season-opener at Optus Stadium next Sunday, after rounding out his pre-season with a top-up outing in a WAFL scratch match.

Darcy and forward Cam McCarthy were among a big number of Dockers who turned out for Peel against East Fremantle at East Fremantle Oval.

Coach Ross Lyon and high-profile recruits Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb watched on as the pair mounted their round one cases, with Darcy playing a second pre-season game after missing Fremantle’s first JLT Community Series match against Collingwood with hamstring tightness.

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Darcy played with a heavy bandage on his left calf but ran freely and powered through a full game as he prepares to launch his third AFL season.

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“I tried to get some minutes in my legs and I’m feeling a lot better than I did last week. I thought I was running a bit better than last week,” he said.

“I had a really good summer. I was out on the track nearly every session, so that was the plan going into the summer and I’m feeling quite good.

“I think I’ve developed a lot as a player. I’ve dropped a few kegs and I feel like that’s helping me in my run. I thought my run has come a long way since I first got drafted. I’ve still got a lot to work on though.”

Play Video Sabreena Duffy finishes in style for the Dockers in their AFLW clash with North Melbourne. The West Australian Video Sabreena Duffy finishes in style for the Dockers in their AFLW clash with North Melbourne.

The youngster is a vital plank in Fremantle’s plans for 2019, with veteran ruck giant Aaron Sandilands, 36, battling ongoing calf issues amid uncertainty over a return date. Back-up ruckman Scott Jones also impressed with some strong grabs for the Thunder.

Darcy was confident the Dockers’ ruck contingent would hold up in Sandilands’ absence and said he was looking forward to joining forces with Lobb. Darcy expected to do most of the ruckwork.

“We’ve done a lot of work, me and Lobby, over the pre-season. He teaches me things and I love watching his running patterns and going against him at training, so it will be good to get him on the same team,” he said.

“You saw what he did in the first JLT so he’s playing really good football. We’ve got a lot of rucks fighting for the spots which is always good.”

McCarthy was quiet but could yet make an unlikely round one resurrection, despite being left out of Fremantle’s 26-man teams for both JLT Community Series games following a disappointing 2018.

Injuries to Matt Taberner and Brennan Cox have opened the door for McCarthy to join Hogan and Lobb as a mobile third target in attack against the Kangaroos.

McCarthy copped a knock to the hip in the last quarter and sat out the rest of the contest. He jogged freely along the boundary line following treatment.

Brandon Matera also received permission to play during the AFL’s bye weekend due to his round one suspension that will give him his break next weekend.