Fremantle have been handed a huge boost with the news that Nat Fyfe is making excellent progress following a back issue and should return ahead of schedule.
The Dockers have made an outstanding start to the 2022 campaign. They sit second on the AFL ladder and are priced at 16/1 to go on and win the grand final.
Impressive start for Freo
They sit 5-1 for the season and that has been without Fyfe in the side as the Dockers skipper has battled with injury issues.
Fyfe missed the end of last season after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction and then the start of the new season was also impacted.
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The Freo skipper needed to undergo a back operation on 26th March and it was thought he would be on the sidelines until a couple of weeks before round 14.
However that has now been brought forward a touch after coach John Longmire confirmed his recovery is going better than expected.
"We think he'll be back probably at Round 10," Longmuir told AFL 360 on Monday night. "He's really improved over the last couple of weeks. He's on the right trajectory now."
Collingwood return
The Dockers now face Geelong (away), North Melbourne (home) and Gold Coast (away), before hosting Collingwood in round 10.
That clash against the Magpies could see the return of Fyfe as long as he does not suffer any fresh setbacks.
Freo have suffered one setback ahead of the clash with Geelong as they will be without Sean Darcy who has entered concussion protocols after a head knock in the win against Carlton.
