Home Sports Australia Fremantle star Murphy Reid firming for qualifying final as Brennan Cox races...

Fremantle star Murphy Reid firming for qualifying final as Brennan Cox races the clock

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Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS

Fremantle Rising Star Murphy Reid looks set for a return for the club’s blockbuster qualifying final against Hawthorn, after missing the final two games of the season.

Reid copped a low blow in the loss to Melbourne in round 22, which saw him miss the final two rounds of the season, with the club taking a cautious approach to his rehabilitation.

The Dockers listed him as a test on Tuesday afternoon, but given the 20-year-old has another week to recover, with their final not scheduled until Thursday, September 3, he is all but certain to face the Hawks.

It comes as Reid is a chance to earn a maiden All-Australian blazer in just his second season, backing up his Rising Star-winning campaign by averaging more than 23 disposals and seven score involvements from his 21 games this season.

He was also the most voted player included in the AFL Players’ Association’s 22under22 team revealed last week.

The outlook for Brennan Cox is less positive, with a timeline for his return from a calf injury picked up in the final-round loss to Carlton listed as 2-3 weeks.

Cox was already ruled out for the qualifying final, but should the Dockers lose to the Hawks, he would be no certainty to return for any potential semi-final clash.

After a strong start to the season, Cox has been battling with his body in recent weeks, having missed his side’s wins over West Coast and Western Bulldogs last month as part of his management of a knee issue.

It’s seen Oscar McDonald earn and hold his spot in the side and will be an obvious choice to fill his role, having started in the forward line against Carlton.

Development ruck Aiden Riddle is listed as a test to return from an ankle injury and could feature in Peel’s Reserves elimination final against West Perth this weekend, while luckless forward Sam Sturt is still recovering from a hamstring injury.