Fremantle general manager Joe Brierty has given Dockers fans hope as he believes defender Brennan Cox could return as early as next weekend from a calf injury.
Cox injured his calf in Round 24 against Carlton at Marvel Stadium, and was understandably disheartened on the bench with his head in his hands at the time.
Speaking on SEN's AFL Nation, Brierty said Cox had recovered well and would be pushing for selection sooner rather than later.
"(We) are kind of working off tonight, how it plays out, that we could have him available for a game next weekend," Brierty said.
"Our WAFL team's playing their game tomorrow, and if they were to win, they wouldn't be able to play next week.
"We'll get through tonight and then the weekend, and assess whether we make him available for footy next weekend.
"We're very confident that he'd be available for prelim final weekend."
Cox has played 18 games this season and has been a key part of Fremantle's defence. The number one defence in the league using points against.
Brierty said the 28-year-old is a key player in the Dockers' side and would come straight back in if fit and available.
"(Cox's) obviously had some pretty significant soft tissue injuries and he hasn't had the continuity he would have liked throughout this year as well," he said.
"He's someone who is pretty important to us when he's up and playing his best footy. He's completing a pretty intense block of rehab at the moment.
"We'll look at that over the weekend and assess whether he's available next week, or it would definitely be the week after."
