Fremantle forward Michael Walters ruled out with injury, while Chris Mayne in doubt for clash with Essendon

FREMANTLE star Michael Walters could miss a chunk of the season should surgery be required to repair dislocated tendons in his ankle.

FREMANTLE star Michael Walters could miss a chunk of the season should surgery be required to repair dislocated tendons in his ankle.

The All Australian forward injured his left ankle during the Dockers’ heavy loss to Hawthorn last week.

Dockers football operations manager Chris Bond said Walters would be given 10 days to allow swelling to reduce before further scans and possible surgery.

“After the surgeon has reviewed and reported on those scans next week, our medical team will be best placed to make a decision on whether or not surgery is required,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chris Mayne, who also injured his ankle, must pass a fitness test to play against Essendon on Sunday.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon described the injuries as “significant”.

“They look like significant ankles and we’re still trying to work through them,” Lyon said on radio 6PR.

“Mayne is probably in the better shape than Walters, but we will work through that.

“We’ve got some challenges.”

Michael Walters limps from the ground. Picture Wayne Ludbey.

Surprisingly, Lyon did not rule out versatile defender Garrick Ibbotson who dislocated his collar bone in last Friday night’s dismal 10-goal loss to league trendsetters Hawthorn in the Grand Final rematch.

Ibbotson, 26, popped the joint in an aerial spoiling attempt into time-on of the opening term and took no further part in the loss.

Lyon compared his injury, in Ibbotson’s first appearance of the season since recovering from Achilles heel surgery last September, to similar shoulder troubles star midfielders Nat Fyfe and Stephen Hill have suffered.

Fyfe ultimately needed surgery two seasons back, while Hill was able to play on with strapping to protect his problem area.

“More often than not people get through with what he (Ibbotson) has got,” Lyon revealed.

“So we’re optimistic.”

Lyon named tough utility Clancee Pearce, athletic ruckman Zac Clarke and free agency import Colin Sylvia as front-runners for call-ups to confront the dangerous Bombers.

The Dockers also get important key defender Zac Dawson back after he served a one-game suspension, but will still be without Fyfe who has another week out of action for his controversial ban from a head clash with Gold Coast follower Michael Rischitelli.

Gun Dockers on-baller Michael Barlow is also sidelined as he recuperates with a knee complaint that will keep him out until after the Round 10 bye.

“It changes quickly in a week, doesn’t it,” Lyon said.

“You finish the Gold Coast game and we’re healthy and you lose two to suspension and you lose Barlow for five weeks.

“It never rains it pours.

“But as a club we’re about fighting and growing.

“We expect to perform at a high level still.”

A slick Bombers smashed Carlton by 81 points on Sunday ahead of their trip west, where they pulled off an emotion-charged come-from-behind victory in early April last year when then coach James Hird was facing calls to step down at the height of the controversial supplements scandal sweeping the famous club.

The Bombers also pulled off a stunning comeback to knock over the Dockers in Round 13 two seasons back when Freo led by 17 deep into the third term, before now versatile big man Michael Hurley finished with six goals Fremantle managed just one behind for the last term and the visitors won by four goals.

The Bombers had won just two of their previous 17 visits to Perth and have now snatched their last three in a row after knocking off West Coast at Patersons in late June last year as well.