Fremantle ruck Sean Darcy is on track to complete concussion protocols and be fit enough to face Melbourne on Sunday.
The Dockers expect both Darcy and captain Alex Pearce to be available for the clash with the undermanned Demons, which could be a preview of their best 22 players.
Both players must complete the club’s main training session in Cockburn on Thursday morning.
Darcy was ruled out of last weekend’s win over Richmond due to concussion, but Dockers general manager of football Joe Brierty revealed the ruckman completed a tough training session at home in Perth over the weekend.
“Sean will return to the team and give us the opportunity to bring (Luke Jackson) into the huddle and step in as a pinch hitter when needed,” Brierty told SEN.
“He’s doing very well. We had quite a big session at the weekend when we were away. He’s in a good place and on track.
“We have a light session this morning and tomorrow off, but he will try to train mainly this week and be available.”
Brierty said Patrick Voss’ impressive WAFL form was the reason he was selected ahead of second ruck Liam Reidy in Saturday’s loss to Hawthorn in Launceston.
The Dockers are now fully armed with their ruck duo and can take on the Demons, who have the chance to enter the fight without a recognized ruck.
Captain Max Gawn is injured, so Simon Goodwin instead relied on strikers Harrison Petty and Jacob van Rooyen in the scrum in his surprise victory over Essendon.
But the focus on breaking the ball out of Sam Draper’s hands helped the Demons midfield win the clearance battle on Saturday night.
Gawn is racing against time to be fit enough to travel to Perth this week.
“We’re not entirely sure. Of course they’ve got (Tom) Fullarton who they brought in from Brisbane who was an emergency at the weekend and would probably take on their more structured ruck role if he came into the team,” Brierty said.
“But last weekend it seemed to work pretty well in slightly wetter conditions with Petty, van Rooyen and (Daniel) Turner taking the bag.
“There are some comments that Gawn may be available, so we will wait and see how that develops.
“Their performance has really improved over the last few weeks since we played them in Alice Springs a couple of weeks ago. So obviously their midfielders are starting to come into play and they’ve also changed their personnel up inside, bringing in (Trent) Rivers and Kysaiah Picket.”
Michael Walters started as a substitute in the Dockers’ last two games, but he and Sam Sturt – who was substituted after three quarters – combined for just four touches and scored no goals against the Hawks.
Brierty said both Tom Emmett and Cooper Simpson were being considered for selection.
“With the form these guys are showing at Peel, they will definitely be considered,” he said.
“It was one where we probably didn’t feel like we got the most bang for our buck in the front half in terms of the method of pressure we used and the ability to keep the ball there.
“We will look at Tommy and Cooper and our striker structure before the game.”