Fremantle defender Brandon Walker is facing another spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious-looking ankle injury during the Dockers’ 32-point qualifying-final defeat by Hawthorn at Optus Stadium.
Walker was forced from the field after rolling his ankle and could not return, ending a rare senior appearance in which he had been given the difficult task of containing Hawthorn livewire Nick Watson.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said the injury appeared significant, with Walker left visibly distressed on the bench after fighting his way back from a series of setbacks.
“Some ankles you can jab and get them back out there, and this wasn’t one of them. So that tells me it’s serious and really unfortunate because I thought he was holding his end of the bargain up,” Longmuir said.
“I thought he had some really good moments in a pretty big tussle with Watson. It’s been a bit of the story of his last two years. Every time he gets an opportunity and works his way back to the side, he hasn’t been able to string multiple games together. So I feel for him at the moment.”
Walker had been recalled for his first game since round one and only his fourth senior appearance across the past two seasons. The 23-year-old had also endured multiple concussions and a shoulder injury during his latest attempt to re-establish himself in Fremantle’s defence.
Despite Watson kicking twice, Longmuir backed the selection decision and said Walker had shown enough to suggest he was ready for the challenge.
“It’s pretty basic. We thought he was up to the challenge, and I think he showed he was up to the challenge,” he said.
“There’s some things he could have done a little better, but largely I thought he had a lot of good moments.”
Walker replaced Judd McVee in the side, with the former Melbourne defender omitted for the second time in Fremantle’s past three matches despite having played 21 games this season.
Longmuir said the Dockers’ fringe players would now have the chance to press their claims for next week’s semi-final, with Fremantle forced into the knockout stage after Hawthorn secured a 10.12 (72) to 5.10 (40) victory.
“Players get an opportunity to play at Peel on Saturday and put their hand up for selection,” Longmuir said. “You’ve just got to be in good form and ready to take an opportunity when they do present. It’s a good opportunity ahead for them.”
