Fremantle Dockers star Hayden Young faces big Wednesday test ahead of do or die clash

Gun Fremantle midfielder Hayden Young will face a fitness test on a groin injury on Wednesday as the Dockers prepare for a likely sudden-death clash with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.

Fellow midfielder Matthew Johnson is also a chance to return to the team from an ankle injury.

The pair will test their fitness at Wednesday’s main training session.

Young has been sidelined with a groin injury since the round 21 win over Carlton, while Johnson has missed four weeks after suffering an ankle injury in the win over Collingwood.

“They (Young and Johnson) completed a game simulation session on the weekend,” Fremantle high performance manager Phil Merriman said.

“Both are looking really good and need to get through training on Wednesday to be available for selection this weekend.”

Bringing in both Young and Johnson off injury would be a gamble.

The Dockers have already brought several players back from injury in recent weeks. Alex Pearce, Nat Fyfe and Corey Wagner have all returned from lay-offs in the past fortnight. Nat Fyfe played as the sub on Saturday night and Wagner was subbed off.

Longmuir said picking players who are fit enough to perform would be a huge call.

“We just have to work through that,” he said.

“We’re getting to the end of the season and sometimes there is a bit more risk at this time of the year with that stuff. We won’t be playing any of those players if they are underdone and are 50-50. But if they get through training and put their hand up for selection then we will have the discussion.”

Fremantle are in the same position as last season, needing to win their last match to play finals despite being a top-four contender during the run home. The Dockers have played finals only one since 2015.

The Dockers have already won 15 matches, enough to finish in the top four last season.

Defender James Aish will be unavailable after entering concussion protocols that forced him out of Peel Thunder’s Round 19 clash.

“Unfortunately for Jimmy, he worked through the week and just got some delayed symptoms with his concussion,” Merriman said.

“He’ll be a miss this week and hopefully will be available after the 12-day protocol.”