Fremantle midfielder Bradley Hill is on the brink of making his return via the WAFL as he recovers from a knee injury.
Senior coach Ross Lyon said he was hopeful that Hill would be available to play for Peel against Swan Districts this Sunday at Rushton Park and serve his club-imposed one-game sanction.
Hill’s return this week would mean the 2017 Doig Medallist would be available for selection against Melbourne in Darwin in round 16 and play his first game of AFL football since round two.
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Brother Stephen Hill is set to play his 200th game against the Demons - adding an extra personal motivation for Bradley to return - however Lyon stressed the importance of not rushing him back.
“The plan is when he’s playing well and fit and available, to pick him like every other player, so there’s no special circumstance,” Lyon told seven news on Tuesday.
“He hasn’t quite being able to get that continuity he needed but he’s heading in the right direction.
“He needs to play a game at Peel and we’re hoping that that will be this week.”
Lyon added that forward Cam McCarthy may need more time to build his form in the WAFL.
McCarthy has kicked 12.13 this season from 11 appearances and was omitted after round 11 following a run of one goal in three weeks.
“He competed fiercely and he played well (at Peel),” Lyon said.
“We’ll look at how he trains when we select the team. It did his chances no harm but sometimes it takes a few weeks.”
Currently sitting on six wins and seven losses, Fremantle has the chance to get back to an even win-loss record against Brisbane on Sunday at Optus Stadium.
Lyon said his focus isn’t on win-loss total but to see a youthful team progressing and improving.
“(A win) would be just an outcome and we’re improving our football,” Lyon said.
“We’re chasing improvement and pursuing excellence and slowly but surely the wheel’s turning.
“If we play well again and the outcome is four points we’ll be really pleased.”
