Fremantle Dockers track watch: Luke Ryan crunched in massive collision as Sean Darcy, Shai Bolton make progress

One of Fremantle’s biggest stars came off second best after being crunched during a bruising training session on Monday. ELIZA REILLY looks at who impressed and brings you the latest intel.

Fremantle defender Luke Ryan has been punished for putting himself in harm’s way at training on Monday morning after being crunched by his teammates in a marking contest.

The two-time All-Australian bravely backed into traffic during match simulation, putting himself on a collision course with Jye Amiss and Hugh Davies. And the opposing pair couldn’t slow their momentum in time with both leaping into the air and into Ryan’s back competing for the ball.

The sickening sound of the clash rung out across Victor George Kailis Oval and several of Ryan’s teammates started frantically waving down medical attention after arriving at the scene. But after a couple of minutes on the ground to recover, Ryan was able to gingerly make his way from the field under his own steam not without jokingly telling club physios “I’m done.”

Luke Ryan was crunched just a bruising Fremantle session.

The 28-year-old didn’t return to match simulation, but he was later spotted on an exercise bike. Later in the session, he was even appointed goal umpire for the second period of match simulation.

The heavy collision didn’t have Fremantle players questioning their courage though. Midfielders Neil Erasmus and Will Brodie very nearly cleaned each other up running in from different directions for a mark. While Corey Wagner met Jeremy Sharp heavily with a front-on bump as he attempted to glide through the corridor.

Brandon Walker was spared when he ran back with the flight attempting to mark a skied ball.

With Ryan the only casualty of match simulation, the Dockers are otherwise boasting a healthy squad. Veterans Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters, both recovering from minor knee surgery, and Sean Darcy were the only three players in rehab on Monday.

Darcy trained on the far side of the oval away from the main group and looked noticeably lighter and quicker during a set of sprints. The ruckman also tested his change of direction and looks close to joining in with the main group after off-season knee surgery.

Shai Bolton looks set for plenty of time in attack as a Docker

Hayden Young also spent some time forward during match simulation as Fremantle cautiously manage the star midfielder’s return from a fractured fibula in round 24 last year. SSP recruit Quinton Narkle was on managed minutes due to a pre-existing foot injury. Unfortunately, Peel premiership player Michael Sellwood, who was training with the Dockers as part of the club’s WAFL alignment, looked to have injured his calf.

Star recruit Shai Bolton looked dangerous playing as a deep forward, working in tandem with Josh Treacy for team purple. The former Tiger showed off his evasive ability early, handballing the footy to himself while being tackled only to regather and find a teammate in a better position. The passage of play ended with Sam Sturt slotting a goal.

Bolton had his first shot on goal dancing through traffic on the boundary but a defender got a fingernail on it. He kicked his first goal of match simulation during the second half, strolling into goal after finding space in the square.

Nathan O’Driscoll has enjoyed an impressive pre-season.

PLAYERS WHO IMPRESSED

Josh Treacy: The breakout star of Fremantle’s 2024 campaign, Treacy’s trajectory looks set to continue this year. The hulking key forward looked strong and dangerous throughout match simulation, regularly putting separation on opponent Alex Pearce. If Treacy didn’t win the ball in the air, he often got his hands on it at ground level and fired off some slick handballs to teammates on the run. The highlight of Treacy’s performance was a casual goal on the run from 55m out. Is developing some good chemistry with Shai Bolton.

Caleb Serong: No surprises here. The two-time All-Australian and Doig Medallist won the first clearance of match simulation for the grey team, firing out a handball to Matthew Johnson who sent the ball inside 50. Serong kicked two goals during the first half of play, one on the run and one from a set shot, in a sign he’s set to become a regular contributor on the scoreboard for Fremantle.

Nathan O’Driscoll: Restricted by injury last season, O’Driscoll found his way into the team late in the year and had a real impact for the Dockers. O’Driscoll started on the wing opposed to Jaeger O’Meara early in match simulation but also put some serious attention into Andrew Brayshaw as play got underway. The players were put through a gruelling conditioning block at the end of training and during a second set of sprints, it was O’Driscoll showing his endurance along with Michael Frederick and Jeremy Sharp.

Originally published as Fremantle Dockers track watch: Luke Ryan crunched in massive collision as Sean Darcy, Shai Bolton make progress