Walyalup (Fremantle) coach Justin Longmuir remains committed to having Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson as a dual ruck combination despite heavy external criticism, saying their partnership needs more time together to produce clear results.
Darcy is in doubt for Saturday’s game against Greater Western Sydney after jarring his knee against Collingwood on Thursday and if he isn’t selected, it will add another roadblock to the team’s desire to see him and Jackson playing together.
Critics say they are both first choice ruckmen who can’t play as forwards but Longmuir said their lack of time together meant their combination was still too difficult to judge.
“I’d just love a little more evidence and love a little bit more time for them to be able to work together,” Longmuir said.
“The most unfortunate thing if he does miss this week is that it’s just another hiccup in their partnership and their ability to work together.
“I haven’t lost any confidence in how that can work in the future.”
Longmuir expressed no doubt that Jackson will remain with the club long-term despite speculation again increasing that he could be lured to Victoria.
Darcy started on the bench against Collingwood and the club also selected three tall forwards in a different set-up to what the Dockers usually employ. Jackson usually plays as the third tall forward when the Dockers pick two ruckmen.
Darcy spent extended periods on the bench throughout the game before getting hurt but Longmuir said that was a specific tactic for how to play against Collingwood.
“We wanted to keep energy up around the ball. They had two rucks as well,” Longmuir said.
“If that happened again, we’d probably play Sean forward a little bit more. We were coming off a short break as well. Since Sean had been back in the team he’d had short breaks. We thought it was an opportunity to keep them as fresh as we could to have maximum impact around the ball.”
Longmuir indicated there was a strong chance that Walyalup would select three tall forwards again if Darcy is available.
The club has suffered another injury blow with Nathan O’Driscoll failing to recover from his match with Peel Thunder last weekend. He was playing his first game back from an ankle injury and Longmuir said he wouldn’t be available.
“He played really well on the weekend. We’d love to have him in selection but that ankle flared up so he’s going to miss this week. It’s just another mid we’ve missed with his flexibility,” he said.
Fremantle will be known as Walyalup for Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/fremantle-dockers/walyalup-fremantle-coach-justin-longmuir-committed-to-playing-sean-darcy-and-luke-jackson-in-ruck-tandem-c-18668341
