Fremantle are hopeful Michael Barlow will be able to ditch his crutches in time to take part in Saturday night’s AFL semi-final against Port Adelaide at Patersons Stadium.
Barlow has been added to the club’s list of injury concerns after returning home on crutches from last week’s qualifying final loss to Sydney.
His exact injury remains a mystery, but a Fremantle spokesperson said Barlow’s use of crutches was merely a precaution, and a full update on his condition will be provided on Tuesday after the club’s medical review.
Barlow tallied 28 possessions and laid nine tackles against the Swans, and the Dockers are desperate to have him out there this weekend to help quell a Power outfit that blitzed Richmond by 57 points on Sunday.
Another player facing an uncertain week is star goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne, who will undergo surgery after breaking his jaw against the Swans.
Ballantyne also broke his jaw in round eight this year, but he was able to play a key role against Geelong just four days after undergoing minor surgery.
The Dockers are hopeful Ballantyne can repeat that effort this week in a match the club must win in order to keep their flag hopes alive.
But All-Australian defender Luke McPharlin, who has been sidelined for the past four weeks with a calf injury, is unlikely to return against the Power.
Port Adelaide have a major injury concern of their own, with speedster Matt White in danger of missing the match against Fremantle after breaking his jaw in the elimination final win over Richmond.
White won’t require surgery, but he will have to pass a fitness test later this week if he is to be given the green light to play.
Fremantle were given a dose of good news on Monday when key duo Zac Dawson and ruckman Aaron Sandilands were cleared by the match review panel over incidents against Sydney.
The Dockers beat Port Adelaide by just eight points when the teams last met two weeks ago, but Fremantle was missing star midfielder Nat Fyfe in that match.
Barlow was one of his team’s best players that day, tallying 27 possessions after returning a week early from a broken thumb.
