Fremantle are set to be without Sean Darcy for the start of the AFL season as the injury-plagued ruckman undergoes minor ankle surgery.
The 26-year-old will be on light duties for the next two weeks after having a screw removed from his right ankle.
The Dockers hope the procedure will clear an infection in the joint, which was previously operated on in July 2023.
Darcy's latest setback comes after he spent part of the summer in Doha continuing his rehabilitation from the knee surgery he had at the end of last year.
"Sean saw a specialist yesterday regarding the infection and it was agreed that the right call is to remove the screw to ensure that there aren't any long-term ongoing issues with infection," Dockers football manager Joe Brierty said on Thursday.
"The removal of this screw will mean that Darcy will have a couple of weeks de-loading to recover from the procedure before re-commencing training.
"Sean has been training diligently throughout pre-season and pleasingly he can continue to implement his knee program during this period as he prepares to return to full training."
Darcy will miss Fremantle's pre-season clashes with the Indigenous All Stars (February 15) and Melbourne (March 2).
He is unlikely to feature in the Dockers' difficult round-one test away to Geelong on March 15.
The ankle infection continues a tough run with injuries for the hulking ruckman, who managed only 12 games last year after playing 15 in 2023.
"The way he attacked that time over in Doha with the specialists was great to see and he's brought back some really important exercises that will assist his function and movement," Brierty said.
"He's really excited about what this will do for his knee strength into the future.
"All going well, it is anticipated that there will only be a small adjustment to his return to play timelines with the aim to return to football in the early rounds of the season."