Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy will miss the start of the season after the club confirmed he'd be going under the knife due to an ankle issue.
Darcy had his ankle operated on in 2023, with medicos now opting to remove a screw which has become an issue due to infection.
Dockers football manager Joe Brierty said the 26-year-old was likely to miss the first few weeks of the home-and-away season.
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“Sean saw a specialist yesterday regarding the infection and it was agreed that the right call is to remove the screw to ensure that there aren’t any long-term ongoing issues with infection,” Brierty said on TABradio, via fremantlefc.com.au.
“The removal of this screw will mean that Darcy will have a couple of weeks de-loading to recover from the procedure before re-commencing training.
“Sean has been training diligently throughout pre-season and pleasingly he can continue to implement his knee program during this period as he prepares to return to full-training.”
Darcy recently spent time in Qatar as he rehabilitates a knee injury which required minor off-season surgery.
The big man on Wednesday posted a picture to social media showing off a trimmed-down physique ahead of the new season.
Having played a total of 27 games in the past two seasons, Fremantle will be hoping his injury woes are behind him.
“The way he attacked that time over in Doha with the specialists was great to see, and he's brought back some really important exercises that will assist his function and movement.
“He's really excited about what this will do for his knee strength into the future,” Brierty said.
“All going well, it is anticipated that there will only be a small adjustment to his return to play timelines with the aim to return to football in the early rounds of the season.”
Darcy has played 110 senior games since being taken with pick 38 in the 2016 Draft, winning the Doig Medal as the club's best and fairest in 2021.
The Dockers begin their 2025 campaign away to Geelong on Saturday, March 15.