BIG SHOES: Jack Hannath may be required to help fill the forward breach at Fremantle. Picture: Paul Kane Source: Getty Images
FREMANTLE could turn to one-game players Tanner Smith and Jack Hannath as its key marking targets against Gold Coast on Saturday night after the loss of Kepler Bradley compounded its forward-line issues.
The Dockers were yesterday waiting on the results of scans that were expected to confirm Bradley ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the second quarter of Friday night's thrilling one-point win against Richmond.
It comes as a devastating blow for the popular clubman and leaves the team struggling to find a viable target in attack.
Skipper Matthew Pavlich is likely to be out until after Fremantle's Round-11 bye following surgery on his plantaris tendon this week, while ruckman/forward Zac Clarke is yet to shake off a calf problem.
While Bradley has been a fringe player for much of his time at Freo, he was one of the players the club could least afford to lose, given the absence of Pavlich.
A lack of natural key forwards has been viewed as the weak spot on Fremantle's list for several years.
Bradley could be tempted to have controversial LARS surgery in a bid to get back before the finals.
The 27-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and his future is in doubt.
Coach Ross Lyon rued the ACL curse striking at Fremantle again.
"It's really sad for any player, but when it's one of your own it makes it worse," Lyon said.
"But we'll support Kepler and rehabilitate him."
Promising youngster Smith made his debut in defence against Hawthorn last weekend but has the ability to play forward.
The 19-year-old will have a fitness test this week after missing Friday's match with a minor hamstring injury.
Ruckman Hannath had just four possessions in his debut against the Tigers but took a crucial mark with 30 seconds remaining and is likely to hold his place.
The Dockers need to manufacture a functioning forward line ahead of a critical five-game period leading into their Round-11 bye, before the anticipated returns of Pavlich and Aaron Sandilands.
Small forward Michael Walters said it was important the team found another tall target.
"We were kind of short once Kep went out. I think (Jonathon) Griffin and Jack Hannath swapped over every now and then," Walters said.
"It was just kick to them and we were trying to just crumb off them because we were so short.
"Me and Ballas (Hayden Ballantyne) aren't going to get the contested mark so we really felt it, that there was no one tall down there.''
Options for the match committee to consider include switching either Luke McPharlin or Michael Johnson into the forward line.
McPharlin and Johnson were excellent in defence against Richmond and coach Ross Lyon will be loath to remove either key plank from his back six.
"We'll wait and see what Ross is thinking," Johnson said. "The good thing is that I've played a number of roles in the past and if Ross wants me to play another role for the team, I'm happy to put my hand up.
"I think Luke's playing his best footy down back. He's our leader down there and leads by example so you don't really want to take him out of his best position.
"But whatever happens, we can move a number of players around to suit our strengths."
Defender Alex Silvagni, who played for Claremont yesterday, could even be considered as a wildcard forward solution.
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