Freo or Peel? Dockers coach reveals where Darcy will play

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has revealed where star ruckman Sean Darcy will play this week.

Speaking on 7NEWS Perth, Longmuir said Darcy will get a third game in a row in the Sullivan Logistics WAFL since returning from a calf injury.

The 2021 Doig Medal winner played back-to-back games for Peel Thunder for the first time since 2019 before the club’s bye last weekend, both resulting in victories.

The Thunder, the form team of the WAFL competition sitting just one game behind ladder leaders Claremont, will hunt a sixth win on the trot when they host last year’s grand finalists East Perth at Lane Group Stadium in Mandurah on Saturday afternoon from 2.30pm.

Darcy will go head-to-head against his former Dockers teammate and Kia WAFL State Team regular Scott Jones, who’s one of the dominant big men in the WAFL.

“We’ve opted to give him another week in the WAFL,” Longmuir said.

“That’s more to make sure we get him cherry ripe for his return.

“We probably feel like he hasn’t got to 100 per cent fitness and form just yet and one more week will benefit him in the WAFL before he puts his hand up.”

Fremantle face a selection squeeze with just one player, luckless forward Sam Sturt, on their injury list ahead of Thursday night’s blockbuster AFL clash against Geelong at Optus Stadium, which will be an added bonus for the in-form Peel who could welcome back several fringe Dockers.

“This week, we’re going to have to leave some guys out and make some changes with guys who are in really good form,” he said.

“It’s a good position to be in as a footy club. I said it to the players today — we’ve got a lot of players who are fit, we’ve also got a lot of players who are in good form at Peel at WAFL level.

“Unfortunately, some players are going to have to miss out.”