The return of wingman Stephen Hill and ruckman Sean Darcy could be made this week, according to high performance manager Jason Weber.

Hill could potentially return for Fremantle against Port Adelaide this Saturday after strong successive weeks on the training track.

“Stephen has been training really strongly with the team for the last couple of weeks,” Weber said.

“He has had a couple of great match simulations.

“At this stage he will be available for match committee and they will make a decision from there.”

Meanwhile, the timely availability of Darcy could also see the ruckman return for Fremantle in the absence of Rory Lobb.

“Sean has, equally, come back from a slight ankle injury,” Weber said.

“He really pushed hard for selection against Collingwood but didn’t quite make it.

“Sean is up for selection, he trained strongly this morning and he’ll be good to go.”

The development of a stress fracture in Lobb’s right ankle lead to a review of Fremantle’s

medical and training processes.

“After the Collingwood game, we went to the bye break and Rory came back with some foot soreness,” Weber said.

“That was diagnosed as a stress-related injury and from that perspective we’ve had a strong review of our medical and training procedures.

“The upshot of which we’ve temporarily suspended training at Optus.

“Rory is in good spirits and we’ve got him in a boot at the moment…we’re not counting him out for the season just yet.”

The other injury out of the Collingwood clash was the fractured left ankle to defender Alex Pearce leaving him unable to return for the rest of the season.

Weber said Pearce was recovering well post-surgery.

“Alex had that unfortunate ankle injury, but surgery has gone very well,” Weber said.

“He’s going to be in long-term rehab…and we’ll get him back to work as soon as possible.”

Weber said all the boxes are being ticked in ruckman Aaron Sandilands’ return from a calf injury.

“Aaron has been training really strongly and he trained a warm-up with the group this morning,” Weber said.

“He is progressing in his contested work really well, so we look forward to seeing him back to football in the next week or two.”

Weber pointed to a WAFL return with Peel Thunder for Luke Valente in his return from a groin injury.

“Luke is progressing strongly…and will progress into football next week,” Weber said.

“We’ll look forward to getting him back on the field through the WAFL team.”

Weber believes Sam Sturt will follow Valente in a WAFL return, as he builds in strength following two concussions earlier in the year.

“Sam obviously had two concussions, but he is progressing along well with his contact,” Weber said.

“He’s putting a couple of kilograms on in the meantime and he’ll progress back to WAFL next week.”

And, Weber said Stefan Giro is eager to start training in the gym following ACL surgery that has ruled him out for the remainder of the season.

Giro sustained the ACL in his left knee in Peel’s Round 8 clash with Subiaco.

“Stefan unfortunately injured his ACL in the last Peel game,” Weber said.

“He had surgery and that went really well and we’re very happy with the outcome.

“Stefan is already busting the door down to get back in the gym.”

Player Injury Estimated duration Sean Darcy Ankle Test Stephen Hill Quad Test Sam Sturt Concussion 1 week Luke Valente Groin 1 week Shane Kersten Foot TBA Aaron Sandilands Calf TBA Rory Lobb Foot TBA Matt Taberner Foot Season Alex Pearce Ankle Season Stefan Giro Knee Season



