Fremantle have confirmed that defender Brandon Walker will undergo surgery after sustaining a shoulder injury in the Dockers' clash against Sydney last Sunday.
Walker copped a knock from behind from Sydney's Will Hayward as Walker attempted to tackle Joel Amartey, dislocating the Docker's shoulder.
Walker had already injured his left shoulder during the pre-season, and post-game Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir conceded the injury "didn't look great", anticipating a long stint on the sidelines for the 22-year-old.
The youngster's fears have been confirmed, with Fremantle general manager Joe Brierty revealing that Walker would undergo surgery to repair his shoulder.
While the exact timeline won't be confirmed until after surgery, it's likely Walker will miss a chunk of the season as he recovers from the procedure.
โAfter seeking specialists' advice on Tuesday, Walker will undergo surgery next week to repair his left shoulder following the dislocation against the Swans,โ Brierty said.
โA confirmed timeline for his return to play will be updated following the stabilisation procedure.โ
After a serious knee injury in 2023, Walker missed just four games in 2024. Brierty said the club would throw their full support behind the defender as he endures another extended setback.
โIt is disappointing for Brandon. Our performance health team will support him through his rehab, and I know Brandon will do everything in his powers to return to football in the later part of this season," Brierty said.
The Dockers face cross-town rivals West Coast on Sunday, with young forward and SSP recruit Isaiah Dudley announced to debut, while Liam Reidy, Karl Worner, and James Aish have also been named in the extended squad as Fremantle look to replace Walker's talent for a hefty period of the season.
