Fremantle track watch: Matthew Taberner leaves session early, Freo’s slow starts, two midfielders on notice

Taberner kicked two goals for the Dockers in their win over North Melbourne on Saturday. It marked Taberner’s first AFL appearance since round four last year. But soon thereafter, the 30-year-old was forced to undergo back surgery to repair a disc issue.

Taberner appeared to be in discomfort during the early stages of Tuesday’s main session and left the training track to be assessed by medical staff. He completed some run-throughs before joining the rehab group on the far side of the oval.

Taberner was also seen stretching his back after attempting some more running. Even before surgery last year, Taberner has been managing back issues for the past three seasons.

He’s suffered back spasms at training and during games before. But with the Dockers facing a short six-day turnaround between games, it remains to be seen whether Fremantle will risk Taberner against the Crows.

SLOW STARTS

If Fremantle was intent on overcoming a string of slow starts against Adelaide on Friday, the Dockers’ opening ball movement drill didn’t set the tone.

After a thorough warm-up, Fremantle progressed into a regular drill dubbed ‘eight ball’ which saw groups set up around the centre square and inside 50. The purpose of the exercise is to move the ball from inside 50, out wide onto the wing and then back inside 50 at the other end of the ground courtesy of long leads and kicks.

Development coach Tendai Mzungu demanded a high standard before the players split off. But there were too many dropped marks and missed kicks for a drill devoid of pressure.

Fremantle’s intensity improved as the session went on but given the Dockers’ biggest issue at the moment is their slow starts, it is probably worth attacking a seemingly simple kicking drill with more ferocity.

WAFL WATCH

Are Matthew Johnson and Jaeger O’Meara under some pressure to keep their spots in Fremantle’s senior side this week?

If you read into the dying stages of the Dockers’ main training session, they could be.

Late in the session, once Fremantle had completed its scheduled training blocks, forwards coach Jaymie Graham was overheard asking the WAFL squad to gather on the far side of the oval for one last drill.

The WAFL regulars went across to prepare for Peel Thunder’s round one clash with East Fremantle but midfielders Matthew Johnson and Jaeger O’Meara were surprise additions.

The pair even spent some time roving to ruck Max Knobel in the centre circle alongside the likes of Will Brodie and Neil Erasmus.

It could indicate that one of Johnson or O’Meara could be in line to be named substitute against Adelaide, paving the way for them to top-up their minutes in the WAFL the following day. O’Meara was sub last week and missed round one with knee soreness.

The caveat to the pair joining the WAFL group is that none of the non-selected players from last week were elevated into the senior squad for the very last part of training. Fremantle also usually holds its match committee meeting after main training.

INJURY WATCH

Heath Chapman is closing in on an AFL return after training with Fremantle’s main group for the first time since injuring his hamstring.

The defender has been sidelined since early February after suffering a moderate-grade hamstring injury. It’s the second hamstring injury Chapman has suffered in as many seasons, prompting the Dockers to send him to Qatar’s renowned Aspetar Sports Medical Clinic for rehab.

Chapman moved well and is a chance to play WAFL football next weekend before eyeing an AFL return.

Fellow defender Karl Worner will miss a second game with concussion despite completing some parts of training on Tuesday. Worner was knocked out during Fremantle’s round one win over Brisbane after courageously lunging into the path of Lincoln McCarthy to spoil a ball.

Worner donned an orange non-contact cap for Fremantle’s warm-up and an early kicking drill before retreating to run laps when contact was introduced.

Sam Switkowski failed to train. Andrew Brayshaw spent the session in the rehab group after pulling up sore from round two. Forward Josh Treacy had some running repairs on his elbow but completed the session after receiving taping.

Nat Fyfe got through main training after being subbed out of Fremantle’s win at Marvel Stadium, the Dockers taking the chance to manage the star midfielder.

While Sean Darcy (knee) and Corey Wagner (calf) emerged from the gym late in the session as the pair continued their rehab. Darcy is expected to rejoin main training shortly, listed as two-three weeks away from an AFL return on Fremantle’s injury update.