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Fremantle forward Matt Taberner unlikely to return until finals after scans reveal moderate grade calf injury

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Eliza ReillyThe West Australian
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Matt Taberner looks set to miss the final to rounds of the home and away season.
Camera IconMatt Taberner looks set to miss the final to rounds of the home and away season. Credit: Andrew Ritchie/The West Australian

Fremantle are likely to be without key forward Matt Taberner until at least the end of the home and away season after scans revealed a moderate-grade calf injury.

The 29-year-old will miss Saturday’s western derby and is in a race against time to return in the final fortnight of of the regular season after failing to see out Fremantle’s win over the Western Bulldogs with a calf injury.

But with the Dockers locked into the top eight with two games to play, Taberner has the gift of the AFL’s pre-finals bye to return to fitness ahead of Fremantle’s first September appearance since 2015.

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“Matt has sustained a moderate grade calf injury,” football manager Peter Bell said.

“He’ll miss a few weeks with that, but he’s a really diligent preparer so there’s no doubt we’ll see him out there pretty soon.”

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Fellow forward Sam Switkowski is poised to return for his first match since round 13 after recovering from back stress fractures.

Matt Taberner was injured against the Bulldogs.
Camera IconMatt Taberner was injured against the Bulldogs. Credit: Daniel Pockett/via AFL Photos

While captain Nat Fyfe is also on track to feature in the closing stages of the home and away season as he makes inroads on his hamstring injury.

“Sam has trained really well and we’ll look to get him involved at main training on Wednesday, he’ll be a test for selection on the weekend,” Bell said.

“Nat also trained really well, but he’s more likely to be round 23, he has a few boxes to tick before we give him the all clear for that round.”

INJURY LIST ROUND 22Sam Switkowski (back) – TestSebit Kuek (calf) – TestNat Fyfe (hamstring) – 1 weekMatt Taberner (calf) – TBAJye Amiss (kidney) – Inactive List

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