East Fremantle’s hopes of snapping a 13-game losing streak to arch rivals South Fremantle have been boosted by the return of star midfield duo Kyle Baskerville and Milan Murdock from COVID-19.

The Sharks are searching for their first win over the Bulldogs since round 12, 2016 when they clash at the WACA Ground on Saturday, the first time the two sides have met at the venue since the 1917 grand final.

East Fremantle were close to breaking the run of losses in round seven, but a late miss from Cam Eardley in the final minute saw them fall two points short in a heartbreaking contest at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.

Baskerville and Murdock both missed last weekend’s 62-point win over West Coast because of COVID-19, but have been passed fit to play.

The biggest issue facing Sharks coach Bill Monaghan is who will replace first-choice ruckman Jeremy Goddard after he was suspended for two weeks for striking Eagle Greg Clark.

Monaghan flagged that Reuben McGuire would lead the ruck, with Lachlan Bailey and Jarrad Jansen to pinch hit there as back-up.

“We’ve got to make a choice whether (former East Perth forward) Eddie Simpson plays. He hasn’t played a lot of footy over the last month, but at 199cm he’s an option as well,” Monaghan said.

“We’ve been good throughout the year when guys have missed with injury, others have come in, stepped up and done their job.

“If you look at the AFL and the WAFL, winning the hit-outs doesn’t mean you win the stoppage count. So we’ll come up with a plan and hopefully, that’ll be successful.”

Forward Dillon O’Reilly is set for a comeback from stress fractures in his back after his season was in doubt, with the Sharks aiming to welcome the former Fremantle rookie back in round 16, although he’s likely to make his return through the reserves.

South Fremantle could welcome back spearhead Mason Shaw for his first league game since the round seven derby win, with the 2020 Bernie Naylor medallist getting through two games of reserves.

Shaw kicked 1.2 against Swan Districts on Saturday but was named the Bulldogs’ best after wrangling in 14 marks and collecting 26 disposals.