​​​​​Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.​

Justin Longmuir says Luke Jackson rest now possible as Sean Darcy returns for Fremantle, with the Dockers coach revealing Darcy's comeback gives the club greater flexibility to manage one of its most important players during the run to the AFL finals. Darcy will play his first AFL game since Round 5 when Fremantle hosts Gold Coast at Optus Stadium on Sunday after overcoming concussion and a calf injury.

The Dockers are chasing a 14th straight win, and Longmuir said Darcy's return could allow the club to reduce Jackson's workload if needed later in the season.

Darcy return provides selection flexibility

Darcy replaces Mason Cox after building his fitness through three WAFL appearances for Peel, including a strong performance against East Perth ruckman Scott Jones last weekend.

Longmuir said Fremantle had deliberately taken a cautious approach to Darcy's return after injury setbacks over the past two seasons.

"Yeah, I think it's something we've definitely got to look at," Longmuir said when asked about the possibility of resting Jackson.

"We know what Sean's best in the ruck is like. It's up there with the best in the comp, so it does give us that flexibility."

The coach said Darcy had earned his place after gradually increasing his workload and regaining confidence in his body.

Darcy to share ruck and forward duties

Longmuir expects Darcy to play a similar role to the one Mason Cox had been performing before making way for the experienced ruckman.

Darcy will spend time both in the ruck and inside the forward line, with Fremantle prepared to adjust his minutes depending on the flow of Sunday's contest.

"To get his game time up, he's going to play a little bit of forward time, and we'll judge the game as it goes and see what the game needs," Longmuir said.

With Gold Coast boasting Jarrod Witts and Ned Moyle in the ruck, Fremantle believes Darcy's presence will be important in managing the contest around stoppages.

Dockers balancing player management

Longmuir stopped short of declaring Jackson and Darcy as Fremantle's preferred long term ruck combination, saying selection remained fluid throughout the season.

"We're never really locked in. People say, 'What's your best 23?' but these things move week to week."

He also stressed the club would only consider resting players if it benefited both the individual and the team.

"It's a balance, right? You don't want to upset team cohesion and form."

Longmuir said the Dockers had enjoyed a favourable run with recovery after the bye and another extended break, reducing the immediate need for player management.

He added that another option was lowering players' game time during matches rather than giving them a full week off.

Lessons from finals disappointment

Longmuir said Fremantle had used last season's one point elimination final loss as part of its growth, particularly after conceding 45 points in the second quarter.

Rather than dwelling on the defeat, the Dockers have focused on improving their consistency and handling momentum swings.

"We haven't shied away from what went wrong in those moments. We've owned them, and we've learnt from them."

Fremantle enters Sunday's clash expecting a fierce challenge from a Gold Coast side looking to respond after recent criticism of its form.

Longmuir praised the Suns' midfield, led by Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell, Christian Petracca, Touk Miller and Leo Lombard, and said his side would prepare for Gold Coast at its best.

The match shapes as a key test for two of the AFL's strongest midfield groups, with Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw, Hayden Young, Murphy Reid and Shai Bolton leading Fremantle's on ball brigade.