Fremantle will take a no risk policy with star youngster Murphy Reid in next week’s match against Carlton, but captain Alex Pearce will play unless something unexpected happens to his knee during the week.

Reid was unavailable for Friday night’s win over Adelaide after suffering a blow to the groin the previous week against Melbourne. He was unable to train during the week and was in pain after the accidental blow.

Longmuir said Reid had shown courage to keep playing against the Demons and may need another week off.

“He’s going to be touch and go for next week,” he said.

“He had some specialist advice and we’ll see how he goes this week. It’s not going to be long term, but if it costs him another week then so be it. He’s played a lot of footy for us, and I don’t think another week will hurt him.

“He’s okay. It’s pretty much a corky. It just shows how tough he is. Everyone talks about his skill, but to play through that last week was a really tough effort. He played with it three quarters and pushed through it and had an impact for us in the second half.

“He’s a tough little bugger. So if he needs another week, we’ll give it to him. But we’d love him back as well.”

The Dockers have carefully managed players who are sore or who have injuries in recent weeks because they were already guaranteed of finishing in the top two. They have now also locked away the minor premiership and will play their last game of the season against Carlton next week.

Longmuir had his heart in his mouth when he saw captain Alex Pearce hobbling following a knock to his knee during the game. Pearce was rested last week and all eyes will be on him during the build up to facing Carlton.

But Longmuir’s preference is for him to play against Carlton and then enjoy the week off before Fremantle’s qualifying final.

“It just looks like he’s got a knock on it. Sometimes you get a stinger to the front of your kneecap and it hurts for a little bit. He was able to run it out, and by the end of the game, he was fine. He’s fine in the change rooms, which is a relief,” he said.

“We’re on an eight-day break. So, if he’s right to go, he’ll play. He had a week off last week, so we don’t really want to go week off, week on, and then another two weeks off. So, if he’s right, which looks like he will be, he’ll play. It did make me think why did we rest him last week to save him from that if he’s going to hurt himself, but thankfully he’s he’s fine.”