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Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir weighs up sending key defender forward after Rory Lobb knee injury

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Eliza ReillyThe West Australian
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VideoWATCH: Rory Lobb headed straight down into the rooms after this ugly twist to his right knee.

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has conceded he may have to swing one of his three key defenders into the forward line to compensate for the likely loss of key forward Rory Lobb.

Fremantle remained hopeful Lobb had escaped a “worst-case scenario” ACL injury but the Dockers are still likely to be without their backup ruckman when they confront Melbourne and ruckman Max Gawn at the MCG in two weeks.

Longmuir also acknowledged first-choice ruckman Sean Darcy remained “touch and go” to recover from a pre-season knee injury in time for round one.

Defensive trio Brennan Cox, Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling got through the game unscathed, bar a slight scare with Pearce’s ankle.

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But with a plethora of defenders in waiting, Longmuir said he may have to lean on one of the three to fill a role up forward.

“I’m reluctant to but we’ll weigh up all of our options and see what will give us the most balanced team because if we go in too short, it’s going to put too much pressure on Taberner,” Longmuir said.

“Lobby is our second ruck as well so we’ve got some work to do on what our best team looks like without him in it.”

Cox has previously filled a role up forward but has spent the pre-season cementing a spot down back, prompting captain Nat Fyfe to label the 22-year-old Fremantle’s “number one defender.”

But Longmuir said it wouldn’t be a simple decision.

Brennan Cox could be sent forward to counter the loss of Rory Lobb.
Camera IconBrennan Cox could be sent forward to counter the loss of Rory Lobb. Credit: Paul Kane/via AFL Photos

“It’s not the right place right now, straight after a game (to make a decision). We’ve got two weeks to work it out,” he said.

“We’ll get all the cards on the table the next few weeks and see what is best for the team.

“We think Josh Treacy has had a good pre-season.”

Longmuir has also endorsed rookie ruckman Lloyd Meek to make his debut in round one.

After winning the ruck battle against Nathan Vardy last week, Meek backed it up with 18 hitouts, six clearances and 12 touches.

“He competed really hard and tried his best to nullify Nic (Naitanui) in the ruck and gave our mids a good honest contest,” he said.

“I think he’s firming for round one.”

Longmuir expects Michael Walters to miss round one with a “low grade” hamstring but Fremantle are set to be bolstered by the return of midfield duo Adam Cerra and Caleb Serong who were held out of Sunday’s clash with a sore calf and soreness respectively.

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