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Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir confirms forward Jesse Hogan a chance to return to face Hawthorn

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Mark DuffieldThe West Australian
VideoMark Readings and Jordan McArdle review round nine of the AFL season.

Fremantle will again be without All-Australian Michael Walters when they face Hawthorn on Monday night — but they could welcome back Jesse Hogan.

Walters injured his hamstring against Geelong in round eight and missed Fremantle’s win over Collingwood on Sunday, while Hogan hasn’t played since round five due to a calf strain.

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir told 7NEWS the club was being cautious with Walters.

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“At this stage it looks like he will need another week,” Longmuir said.

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“We don’t want to take any risks with it. We have got a five-day break after this game.”

He said forward Hogan was a chance to face the Hawks at Optus Stadium.

“We will have to wait and see how he gets through training but it looks like he will put his hand up for selection at this stage,” Longmuir said.

The coach also confirmed the club was seeking expert advice as to whether defender Joel Hamling needed more surgery to correct his ankle injury sustained in pre-season.

Hamling had complications and an infection after surgery earlier in the year.

Jesse Hogan of the Dockers (R) and Brennan Cox of the Dockers.
Camera IconJesse Hogan of the Dockers (R) and Brennan Cox of the Dockers. Credit: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos/Getty Images/AFL Photos

“We are looking into it at the moment and we are getting a few surgeons’ opinions on the best way to go about it,” Longmuir said.

“It looks like his season is done unfortunately. It is a difficult time for him and he has had to endure a fair bit with this injury. Fingers crossed we can get it right and we can get him back out there next year.”

He said the Dockers would have to repeat the intensity they showed against Collingwood at the weekend to be able to match the Hawks, who were much improved in a 31-point win over Carlton.

“They have got some players back but they have also got some old form back,” Longmuir said.

“We are going to have to be at the same level we were at on Sunday.”

Longmuir acknowledged his recent history with Collingwood had given him some inside knowledge heading into the game.

“We had a really good week last week as a coaching group and a playing group,” he said.

“We were able to really simplify our message and rebound from a disappointing performance against Geelong.

“It definitely gives you some advantage given that you know the players and you know the system pretty well but there are no real secrets in footy.

“Everyone pretty much knows how everyone plays. When we scout a team we are heavily focused on their last four weeks and we were able to pick out a few things we were able to focus on and tell our players.

“It was a good effort by our players.

“I was really proud of the effort and really proud of the method, the way we went about our hunting and pressure. It was an area we thought we had let ourselves down in against Geelong.

“I saw a definite improvement. We look to maintain that now heading into a tough game against Hawthorn.”

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