Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy has suffered another setback on the eve of the 2025 season.
The Dockers confirmed the 26-year-old will undergo minor surgery to clear an infection in an ongoing ankle injury.
The surgery will sideline the ruckman for the "early rounds of the season", according to the club.
A screw in Darcy's right ankle will be removed in the procedure. It's a follow-on from original ankle surgery in July 2023.
Sean Darcy will undergo ankle surgery before the 2025 season. via Getty Images
Dockers general manager of football, Joe Brierty, detailed the setback for the 110-gamer, who managed just 12 senior matches last year.
"Sean saw a specialist yesterday (Wednesday) regarding the infection and it was agreed that the right call is to remove the screw, to ensure that there aren't any long-term ongoing issues with infection," Brierty said on TABradio.
"The removal of this screw will mean that Darcy will have a couple of weeks de-loading to recover from the procedure before re-commencing training."
Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson used to be opponents, but now both don the Fremantle purple. AFL Photos via Getty Images
It's a painful setback for Darcy, who was sidelined for most of 2024, and only played 15 games the year prior.
Additionally, the 26-year-old only just returned from Qatar, spending time rehabilitating a knee injury that required off-season surgery.
"Sean has been training diligently throughout pre-season and pleasingly he can continue to implement his knee program during this period as he prepares to return to full-training," Brierty added.
"Darcy returned from a visit to the Aspetar Sports Medical Clinic in Doha last week where he continued to work on his rehabilitation from minor knee surgery at the end of season 2024."
Sean Darcy of the Dockers and Bailey Williams of the Eagles compete in the ruck, 2024. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Despite another setback for the 203cm big man, the Dockers aren't concerned that this ankle clean up will impact him long term this year.
"The way he attacked that time over in Doha with the specialists was great to see, and he's brought back some really important exercises that will assist his function and movement," Brierty said.
"He's really excited about what this will do for his knee strength into the future."
The ankle surgery is not related to his knee troubles, the club confirmed.
Fremantle also remain confident Darcy will miss only a small chunk of the home-and-away season.
"All going well, it is anticipated that there will only be a small adjustment to his return to play timelines with the aim to return to football in the early rounds of the season," Brierty said.
