Fremantle coach Ross Lyon flagged the possibility of a western derby recall for ruckman Sean Darcy on Saturday night to help combat West Coast’s ruck duo, but was unsure of captain Nat Fyfe’s availability.

The 20-year-old missed Sunday’s thrilling five-point win over St Kilda, with “managed” the reason given.

Boom recruit Rory Lobb, who prefers playing as a tall forward, shouldered the ruck load but was well beaten by Saints big man Rowan Marshall for the first three quarters before standing up late.

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The Eagles have gone with premiership ruckman Nathan Vardy and ex-Saint Tom Hickey for the first three rounds and look likely to stick with that combination.

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Lyon is confident Darcy will be available and will come into consideration.

“He’ll need to jump through some hoops, but I think he’ll be available,” he said.

Camera Icon Sean Darcy is in the mix to return. Credit: Danella Bevis

“The way they (West Coast) play with the big guys, it’s certainly a consideration (playing two ruckmen).”

The Dockers captain and coach exchanged text messages this morning, with Fyfe telling Lyon he was “progressing pretty well” from his sickening head knock against the Saints.

Tough nut Mitch Crowden and speedster Stefan Giro are the front-runners to replace the Brownlow medallist should be not pass a concussion test, according to Lyon.

Smooth-moving half-back Adam Cerra and Richmond recruit Reece Conca could also get more midfield time.

Crowden (31 disposals, five tackles) was best-afield for Fremantle’s WAFL affiliate Peel Thunder in their three-point win over West Perth in Mandurah on Saturday, while Giro (24 and a goal) also performed strongly to put his hand up for a return to AFL ranks.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson said while he’s “not quite there yet”, he will throw premiership defender Liam Duggan straight back into the side should he get through training this week.

Duggan, who missed Saturday night’s grand final rematch against Collingwood at the MCG due to a medial strain in his right knee, moved freely at Eagles training at Subiaco Oval this morning.

Last week’s debutant, third-year defender Josh Rotham, is likely to be squeezed out, despite a promising first AFL hit-out.

“If he gets through training, he’ll play,” Simpson said.

“He’s an important player for us. We got to debut Josh Rotham and I thought he held up his end pretty well.

“He trained today, let’s see how he pulls up. He’s not quite there yet but if he’s available, he’ll play.”

Both teams are 2-1 heading into western derby 49, with neither team dropping a game at Optus Stadium in 2019.