Fremantle defender Anthony Morabito won’t be rushed back into the senior side despite solid performances for Peel Thunder in the WAFL, according to senior coach Ross Lyon.
 
Morabito has displayed defending capabilities as well as his run and carry in the WAFL, but Lyon said it was important to taper expectations and let him return at the correct pace, given his history of three knee reconstructions.
 
The luckless defender has played only three games for Freo since 2010, and Lyon said it was crucial for the club to put him in the best position succeed.
 
“He’s had his best summer, but you have to set them up to succeed and not fail,” Lyon said.
 
“If we threw him in now, it wouldn’t be fair to him and it wouldn’t be appropriate, but (it’s possible) if he keeps building and gets some continuity in his footy.
 
“When he first came back the other year, there’s hype and opinion, but you have to do the best by the player.”
 
While aware of Morabito’s talent and football acumen, Lyon admitted that the step up from WAFL to AFL level isn’t always a smooth transition.

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“We see his god given talent, his genetic talent and his natural decision making but AFL football is so demanding,” he said.
 
“WAFL compared to AFL, it’s a different game of football.
 
“We see that with our young players coming in, you go from 40 (disposals) to 10.”
 
Michael Apeness could see a return to WAFL competition this week, after working hard to return from a knee injury.
 
“He would play seconds at Peel,” Lyon said.
 
“When you have a PCL reconstruction, it’s a significant injury.
 
“Michael Gardner had one at West Coast and it took him a few years to get on top of that.”
 
Despite the long-term nature of the injury, Lyon said Apeness was in a good position to return and play some consistent football.
 
“He’ll take time but he’s a really diligent kid and clearly he’s a valuable resource for us,” he said.
 
“If he can get going, play a good month of football, we’d really like to expose him and bring him on.”