An Upda te from JL.Prized Fremantle Next Generation Academy graduate Liam Henry is “nearing AFL fitness” following a long-term knee issue, coach Justin Longmuir revealed.
The Dockers have taken the cautious approach with the slightly-built small forward, who dislocated his knee cap in a Public Schools Association match for Christ Church last August.
The 18-year-old, who was taken with pick nine in the national draft, is the only one of Freo’s trio of top-10 draftees yet to make his senior debut with Caleb Serong and Hayden Young already impressing.
Longmuir said the excitement machine was building nicely in the reserves over the past few weeks and could be available for AFL selection as early as Monday night’s clash against Hawthorn at Optus Stadium.
Henry has shown some promising signs since his long-awaited return last month, kicking a brilliant goal and flying high for a mark against Gold Coast reserves.
He booted three majors, had his hand in several other scores and applied great pressure in increased minutes against Geelong reserves last week in an encouraging display.
“He’s clearly coming off a serious injury with his patella tendon last year, his knee cap popped out a few times through the under-18s,” Longmuir told ABC’s Corbin and Ben.
“We’ve cautiously managed him and there’s not much of him so we’ve been pretty cautious with his program.
“We’ve got him back playing in our reserves at the moment, he’s had three good hit-outs now so he’s nearing AFL fitness so I’m guessing he’ll put his hand up for selection this week or the coming weeks.
“He’s clearly a talented player who we think is going to have a long future at the footy club so we don’t want to rush him but when he’s ready, we’ll pick him and give him his opportunity.”
The Dockers have blooded five debutants this season including rising star nominees Serong and Sam Sturt as well as speedster Michael Frederick and defenders Young and Tobe Watson