MICHAEL Walters has been ruled out of Sunday's blockbuster clash with Essendon and may require surgery after dislocating an ankle tendon during the Dockers' 58-point loss to Hawthorn last Friday night.
The talented forward had scans on his left ankle reviewed by a Melbourne specialist and won't know whether surgery is required until next week, according to Fremantle's football operations manager Chris Bond.
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"At this stage the medical advice is that we should wait a week to 10 days to allow the swelling in Michael’s ankle to subside before having further scans," Bond said in a club statement.
"After the surgeon has reviewed and reported on those scans next week, our medical team will be best placed to make a decision on whether or not surgery is required."
Garrick Ibbotson will miss the next two to four weeks after dislocating his right shoulder in the opening term against the Hawks.
Chris Mayne also sustained an ankle injury during the loss to Hawthorn. He will have to pass a fitness test later in the week before he is cleared to play against Essendon.
The talented forward had scans on his left ankle reviewed by a Melbourne specialist and won't know whether surgery is required until next week, according to Fremantle's football operations manager Chris Bond.
Click here for latest injury news
"At this stage the medical advice is that we should wait a week to 10 days to allow the swelling in Michael’s ankle to subside before having further scans," Bond said in a club statement.
"After the surgeon has reviewed and reported on those scans next week, our medical team will be best placed to make a decision on whether or not surgery is required."
Garrick Ibbotson will miss the next two to four weeks after dislocating his right shoulder in the opening term against the Hawks.
Chris Mayne also sustained an ankle injury during the loss to Hawthorn. He will have to pass a fitness test later in the week before he is cleared to play against Essendon.
The Dockers do have some reserves to call upon. Clancee Pearce gathered 39 disposals for Peel Thunder in the WAFL on Saturday, Colin Sylvia had 23 touches and kicked two goals, Anthony Morabito gathered 19 possessions and Josh Simpson had 23 disposals including 10 inside-50s.
Meanwhile, ruckman Zac Clarke continues to push his case for a recall after 38 hit-outs and a goal in the WAFL.
In other positive news for the Dockers, Jonathon Griffin played his first game on the weekend on return from a knee reconstruction. Griffin played limited game time for Peel in his first match since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Collingwood in round seven last season.
Griffin had 16 hit-outs and six disposals and his return will add depth to the Dockers' big-man department.
