,,,,Dockers wary of derby rivals
Danyle Pearce says Fremantle cannot drop their guard going into Sunday’s western derby and must keep the momentum rolling after their strong start to the season.
Ruckman Zac Clarke gave every indication yesterday that he would shrug off knee soreness to face West Coast at Domain Stadium for a clash where the Dockers are raging $1.32 favourites with the TAB.
A confident Fremantle are also expected to have Michael Johnson (back soreness) and Tendai Mzungu (hamstring) available.
Clarke and Johnson, who were both sent for scans on Monday, were in good spirits and showed no apparent discomfort as they ran laps together during yesterday’s session.
Mzungu ran freely in completing the one-hour session as he put his hand up to return to the Dockers line-up after being a late withdrawal before last Sunday’s victory over Geelong at Simonds Stadium.
Fremantle must make at least one forced change, with the suspended Hayden Ballantyne to sit out the contest.
Ballantyne spent time during training giving one-on-one guidance to Hayden Crozier, who looks likely to replace the 2014 All-Australian.
The Dockers have successfully negotiated the first half of a taxing opening month of fixtures, notching impressive victories against Port Adelaide and the Cats.
But there is little respite on the horizon.
After the clash with West Coast, Fremantle must prepare to host 2014 grand finalists Sydney in round four.
Pearce said the Dockers were bracing for a tough contest this Sunday.
“It’s good to get the first two under the belt,” he said.
“I’m sure most of the boys watched the West Coast game on the weekend.
“They (the Eagles) were really up and firing, so we know it’s going to be a huge game this week.
“Not only is it the derby, but they’re in great form so we’ve got to come out on Sunday and make sure we’re switched on.
“We were well aware that we had a really solid start. As a team as a whole, we’ve had a really good start.
“Our midfield’s been up, our backs and forwards have been up.
“We’ve just got to continue it on this week ... behind closed doors we expect more from ourselves than the outside world expects of us.”
Clarke played against the Cats despite not taking part in last Wednesday’s session and Pearce is expecting the big man to play against West Coast’s Nic Naitanui.
“We’ve got Spide (Sandilands) and Clarkey,” Pearce said. “It’s going to be a great (ruck) contest. Nic Nat can jump and we need to make sure we can get on top of him and nullify him as much as possible.
“I haven’t heard any whispers, any rumours (of Clarke missing).”
Pearce has opened his third season since joining Fremantle as a free agent with a bang. He produced one of his finest performances as a Docker in the round-one thriller against former club Port Adelaide, amassing 28 disposals at 79 per cent efficiency to go with two goals, seven clearances and five inside 50s.
The 29-year-old said Fremantle’s midfielders were intent on contributing more goals this season.
Half of the Dockers’ 26 goals so far in 2015 have come from on-ballers. Nat Fyfe and Michael Barlow each kicked three goals against the Cats.
Fyfe signed autographs but did not train during yesterday’s session.
Matthew Pavlich, Luke McPharlin, Michael Walters, Garrick Ibbotson and Paul Duffield took part in light running exercises.
