Fremantle will not be recalling key defender Brennan Cox for Friday's preliminary final against Sydney at the SCG.
Cox had been pushing to be welcomed back into the AFL side after overcoming a calf injury he sustained in Round 25 against Carlton.
Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said the 28-year-old will feature in Peel Thunder's WAFL grand final this weekend, but could still be a chance to play if the senior side makes the decider.
“He got through the training session well,” Longmuir said on SEN.
“Unfortunately, though, he won't make the trip.
“We feel like he's in a good spot, and he couldn't have done much more. It's just going into a prelim, in his position... It's a really tough ask.
“He'll stay behind and play Sunday. Like I said to him (on Tuesday), next week will be next week.”
Cox has been a first-choice defender but has been replaced by Oscar McDonald during his absence.
He'll play against Claremont in the WAFL decider on Sunday.
“He was disappointed, but he's such a mature person and a guy of great character, so he understood what's ahead of him,” Longmuir said.
“He won't give up any hope of us winning and him playing next week.”
Small defender Brandon Walker (ankle) is also pushing to return to the senior side after injuring his ankle in the qualifying final against Hawthorn, and missed the Geelong clash.
Veteran Jaeger O'Meara (ankle) is another pressing his case to play, as is ruckman Sean Darcy (knee).
Jaeger O’meara and Chris Scerri part of @freodockers squad of 25 for the PF in Sydney@10SportAU @10SportAU pic.twitter.com/Npc0AHmL7c
— Steve Allen (@ScubaStv) September 16, 2026
Vision on X indicated O'Meara and small forward Chris Scerri were the only add-ons to the squad who beat Geelong last week.
Walker is understood not to have boarded the plane.
