Fremantle Dockers name forward Michael Walters for return, but Brandon Walker to miss through injury

Fremantle veteran Michael Walters has been named to return from a hamstring injury in Saturday night’s clash with Richmond — but could be named the substitute.

Defender Brandon Walker will miss the clash with a shoulder injury.

Walters returns alongside important backman Brennan Cox, who comes into the side for the first time since his own hamstring injury in round one.

Hugh Davies has been omitted after playing two games, with Josh Draper retaining his place in the side after his late-game heroics against the Swans.

Walters missed two matches after being substituted out of the Dockers’ defeat to the Bulldogs with the injury in the first quarter.

He could be used as the Dockers’ sub for the second time this season, named on the five-man bench alongside Bailey Banfield, Hayden Young, James Aish and Matthew Johnson.

Aish was used as the sub on Saturday against Sydney, but it is likely he will take Walker’s place in the backline.

Ethan Hughes, Patrick Voss and Karl Worner are Fremantle’s emergencies.

Walker was not named on the club’s official injury list when it was released on Tuesday night, but trained away from teammates during Wednesday’s main session at Cockburn.

“Brandon, I think he stubbed his toe, and he has got a bit of an AC joint, so he is a bit banged up,” coach Justin Longmuir said after the Swans victory.

“He got that looked after at half time and really pleased with the way he responded and was able to play under that stress in the second half.”

The Dockers have played an extra midfielder in the past two weeks without Walters. It has meant Young and Caleb Serong’s time playing as forwards have risen sharply.

That structure would likely remain if Walters was to be used as the sub.

Longmuir this week said Walters was still among there “most dangerous forwards”.

Dustin Martin will miss the trip to Perth for the Tigers, but the champion has been listed as managed, rather than injured, after a back issue ended his day early against Carlton on Sunday.

It indicates Adem Yze had never planned to bring the three-time Norm Smith medallist west with the side. He has been replaced by Noah Cumberland.

West Australian mid-season recruit Jacob Blight has retained his place after making his debut against Carlton and will line up against a number of players he shared a field with at Peel Thunder.