Fremantle aren't expecting to see injured ruckman Sean Darcy until at least Round 3 of the 2025 season.
Darcy has battled persistent knee and ankle injuries across the past two campaigns, limiting his output to 27 matches.
The 26-year-old had recently gone into corrective surgery to remove a screw from a historical ankle injury, of which Dockers EGM Joe Brierty has admitted there was a complication.
Speaking on 6PR Perth, Brierty ruled out Darcy from the club's Round 1 clash with Geelong, saying he could be seen after the first month of the season.
"He's obviously had that cleanout with the infection and he's still doing his knee program," Brierty said.
"We won't see him Round 1. The earliest we expect to see him is that kind of Round 3 to 5 block but it's really how quickly he can pick back up following this infection and get back into his football loads.
"He's got another week of reloading after the infection and then he'll have a two-week block of decent football training and then from there, he can really build in."
Brierty didn't rule out Darcy being played through the WAFL in the Fremantle reserves side as he works his way back from his time on the sideline.
"Yeah, it's not out of the question," Brierty added.
"In terms of what's best for him and best for the team and the make-up.
"The long-term focus is ensuring Sean has some stability, but looking at this season, we want him to come back in cherry-ripe condition."
The club is planning for captain Alex Pearce and Hayden Young to be available against Melbourne during the AAMI Community Series in a fortnight.
Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe is currently building up his program and will need a "couple weeks of rehab football program to get back into the main group", with an eye on "competitive footy in early March".
