Fremantle wingman Blake Acres seems to have dodged a bullet, with the hamstring harm he suffered throughout Saturday’s win over Hawthorn not thought of critical.
Acres has loved a breakout season for the Dockers and was influential with 24 disposals and a purpose earlier than being subbed out halfway by means of the ultimate quarter of the 14.11 (95) to 12.10 (82) win at Optus Stadium.
The 26-year-old missed the primary 5 video games of the 2020 season after injuring his hamstring tendon throughout the pre-season and minimize an emotional determine on the sidelines on Saturday. However coach Justin Longmuir mentioned the early indicators had been constructive.
“I used to be simply speaking to him within the rooms and he doesn’t assume it’s overly critical,” Longmuir mentioned.
“He’s upset, as all gamers are after they get injured. However fingers crossed it’s not too excessive on the intense scale.
“He feels prefer it’s not an enormous one however as with these stuff you’ve obtained to attend for them cool off and get scanned.”
The Dockers moved to equal high of the ladder with Melbourne forward of subsequent week’s bye, however the Demons nonetheless must play Collingwood on Monday.
Nat Fyfe made a profitable return from harm with 22 disposals, six clearances and one purpose whereas splitting his time evenly between enjoying as a midfielder and a ahead.
Longmuir mentioned the twin Brownlow medallist would get higher with each sport.
“I believed he was just a little bit rusty however I anticipated that,” Longmuir mentioned.
“He performed as I anticipated and the way he anticipated. It’s a great one to get underneath the belt. Clearly he’ll solely get higher. I feel everybody loved seeing him again on the market. I did as effectively.
“The quantity of occasions we would have liked him on-ball as a result of we had been getting overwhelmed round clearance or there have been occasions when he put himself ahead as a result of he felt that was the place he may have probably the most affect.
“We’ll maintain exploring that and discovering methods the place he can have a bit extra flexibility in his position.”
Hawthorn misplaced Sam Frost to a knee harm and would require scans.
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell mentioned they did not capitalise on alternatives.
“We’ve had some challenges over the course of the 12 months and immediately threw up some completely different ones,” he mentioned.
“We really received centre bounces for the primary time for the 12 months however then they kicked 4.4 in opposition to our centre bounces. We obtained the ball inside 50 61 occasions however couldn’t put them away. It was a distinct set of challenges.”
