ALL TO PLAY FOR: The two coaches pose with the derby trophy. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow
CALM BEFORE THE STORM: Fremantle Dockers coach Ross Lyon and West Coast Eagles coach John Worsfold front the media ahead of the Western Derby. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow
FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon says Zac Clarke is a "good chance" to play in Saturday's Western Derby despite yesterday fearing the young ruckman would miss the rest of the season after hurting himself at training.
Clarke snapped his plantaris tendon, which is attached to the Achilles tendon but is not vital to leg function.
"I was really worried at training. It looked like he had done an Achilles or a big calf, so we weren't sure," Lyon said.
"The results have come through and it's just the plantaris - that you don't really need - torn through.
"We were really relieved. We thought we'd lost the player for the year and he's still a good chance to play this week."
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Kepler Bradley is the leading contender to play Clarke's forward/back-up ruckman role if the youngster is ruled out.
Fremantle is likely to be conservative with Clarke given it has a 14-day break before its Round 2 clash with the Western Bulldogs.
While the Dockers are breathing a sigh of relief over Clarke, No.1 ruckman Aaron Sandilands continues to be a cause for concern after aggravating his hamstring injury.
Sandilands faces missing a big chunk of the season as his 211cm body continues to struggle. The 30-year-old will travel to Melbourne to see a specialist may need surgery and a long period of rehabilitation.
"He's had a hiccup in his rehabilitation with his hamstring, we're not sure to what extent, but we need further investigations with the specialist," Lyon said.
"I wouldn't read too much into it. He needs to see the specialist."
Lyon and West Coast coach John Worsfold came head-to-head today for the pre-derby press conference, which in a break with tradition was held at the WA Maritime Museum in Fremantle ahead of the Dockers' home game.
The pair spoke beneath Australia II, the racing yacht that famously won the America's Cup in 1983.
Worsfold was confident the Eagles could cover for the loss of Nic Naitanui (groin), Daniel Kerr (knee), Sharrod Wellingham (ankle) and Matt Rosa (thigh).
"Those names are all obviously part of our midfield, but we haven't had them for the whole pre-season really," he said.
"So the guys that are in there have done all the work and are looking forward to that challenge."
Worsfold said he would consider playing veteran Andrew Embley as a substitute but that he was confident the 2006 Norm Smith medallist could get through four quarters if required.
Both coaches welcomed the AFL's announcement of a concussion sub, with the substitute to now be allowed to come onto the field while a player is being assessed for concussion.
Bookmakers have continued to wind in Fremantle's price in the days leading up to the derby, with tab.com.au listing the Dockers at $2.15 - in from $2.35.
The betting agency has eased West Coast from $1.60 to $1.70.
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