McPharlin will rest but not for a while
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says he will not consider resting Luke McPharlin or any of the club’s other veterans until at least the halfway point of the season.
McPharlin, 33, has defied his age and last year’s poor run with injury to be a major player in the Dockers’ unbeaten start to the season.
The 2012 All-Australian has beaten Jay Schulz, Mitch Clark and Josh Kennedy already this year in his club’s charge to the top of the ladder.
He also squared his battle with Lance Franklin in Saturday night’s 14-point win over Sydney, restricting him to 2.2 and 15 disposals.
McPharlin broke down last season in the wake of the round-seven western derby, playing just six more matches for the year thanks to persistent calf injuries.
Lyon said the time for resting his team’s premier defender to keep him cherry ripe for finals had not yet come despite Fremantle already sitting on top of the table one game clear with their draw opening up.
The Dockers play Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday followed by Essendon and the Western Bulldogs.
“It’s round four and in another seven weeks we’re at the halfway mark and clearly then we’ll sit down and have a look,” Lyon said of resting players.
“It’s on the agenda with Luke, but Luke has said he’s never felt better and we’re managing him better Monday to Friday.
“It’s a reasonable question in regard to Luke in particular.
“(Zac) Dawson and (Alex) Silvagni are both in full training at the minute and we know they’re really capable, but that (resting players) is going to be a hard thing to do.
“We’re not at the point. At round 11 I think you’ve got a legitimate question to ask and I’ll answer it.”
Lyon’s comments came on Saturday night but Silvagni broke down yesterday when making his return from a hamstring injury for WAFL affiliate Peel Thunder at Bendigo Bank Stadium.
Silvagni injured his left hamstring in the first quarter and took no further part in the match.
Dawson (groin) is two weeks away from playing.
Tendai Mzungu had four disposals and laid two tackles against Sydney after coming on as the substitute in the third term in his first AFL game this year.
He set up Matthew Pavlich’s crucial third goal midway through the final term.
Lyon said he valued Mzungu, but hinted the wingman was still under selection pressure.
“He’s had to work his way back in, but Tommy Sheridan has been super for us,” Lyon said.
