Fremantle wary of Richmond's red-hot Riewoldt Greg Denham
The Australian
July 07, 2010 FREMANTLE faces the prospect of facing in-form Richmond full-forward Jack Riewoldt on Saturday with a makeshift full-back.
Riewoldt shot five goals clear of Barry Hall in the John Coleman Medal race, when he outplayed Sydney's two best available defenders, Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Heath Grundy, at the MCG on Sunday.
The Dockers' major concern is that all three proven full-backs, Antoni Grover, Chris Tarrant and Luke McPharlin, are injured. Grover has already been ruled out for at least two rounds with a strained hamstring, McPharlin is still recovering from a knee injury and Tarrant remains in doubt with a heel problem.
Fremantle coach Mark Harvey may have no alternative than to start first-year defender Alex Silvagni on Riewoldt in just his 12th game at the elite level.
Harvey's only other realistic option appears to be using former Essendon utility Adam McPhee on the league's leading goal kicker. Plan B will become a serious consideration if Silvagni struggles early.
Riewoldt has booted 53 goals this season and it is no coincidence that the Tigers have improved out of sight since he has blossomed into the game's most dominant forward. After kicking 19 goals in the first eight rounds, a far more accurate Riewoldt has added an amazing 34 goals in the past six rounds, including a personal-best haul of 10 against West Coast..
Grover pinged his hamstring against Port Adelaide last Sunday, while Tarrant missed his second game for the year, against the Power and was yesterday rated only a 50-50 chance to play this weekend by the Dockers.
McPharlin, who has not played since straining his medial ligament in round eight, is not scheduled for a return until round 16.
Facing an opposition for just the second time this season without Michael Barlow, who broke his leg in two places last weekend, the Dockers will continue to be undermanned, with only Nick Suban available to return after missing the past two rounds with an elbow injury.
In line for his first AFL game is Tasmanian midfielder Jesse Crichton, 19, while Tim Ruffles could play his first match this season after steady progress in the WAFL following a knee reconstruction early last year.
Crichton, who was a third-round national draft selection last year, could be the Dockers' sixth debutant this year after Harvey blooded a league record 11 newcomers last season.
Fremantle is confident of retaining Nathan Fyfe, who was concussed last weekend.
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