Docker Matt Taberner cut down, but Cox not the answer

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is set to resist the temptation of shifting star defender Brennan Cox into attack despite Matt Taberner being cut down by a serious back injury.

Taberner underwent microdiscectomy back surgery on Friday, with no exact time frame set for his return.

Longmuir is optimistic Taberner will be able to return later this year, but his lengthy absence leaves a major hole in Fremantle’s inexperienced attack.

Teenage forward Jye Amiss kicked just one goal from two disposals in Friday night’s 49-point loss – 17.16 (118) to 10.9 (69) – to the Bulldogs before being subbed out in the third quarter.

Prized recruit Luke Jackson also struggled with 1.1 from nine disposals, while Sam Sturt was quiet apart from a two-goal spurt in the second term.

With Nat Fyfe no certainty to return from a plantar fasciitis injury for next week’s clash with Brisbane at the Gabba, Longmuir faces a battle to assemble a forward line capable of regularly kicking match-winning scores.

Cox has shown potential as a forward in the past, but his star displays in defence means it will be hard to move him.

“He’s just such a good defender for us, and defenders that are able to win the ball back like he does are hard to find,” Longmuir said.

“I suppose that’s an option. But him and (Alex) Pearce have been getting the job done pretty well.

“So you don’t want to rob Peter to pay Paul.”

Longmuir said the loss of Taberner was a big blow.

“We’re probably missing a mature key forward that can take the best defender,” Longmuir said.

“Luke Jackson is still finding his way, Jye is still finding his way.

“We hope Tabs can get back to his best and give us something at the back-end of the year.”

Longmuir is unsure when Fyfe will be ready to return.

“We think he’s getting closer, but we want to make sure it’s right so it doesn’t flare up again and we don’t have this situation again,” Longmuir said.

“Whether it’s this week or next week or the week after, we’ll have to update during the week.”

Of more concern to Longmuir right now is Fremantle’s inability to win the contest.

The Dockers lost the contested possession count 154-129 against the Bulldogs, continuing a trend that has seen Fremantle slump to a 2-4 record.

“We got a bit of a lesson from a more experienced midfield tonight,” Longmuir said.

“Sometimes in the contest the harder you try the win the contest the more you get exposed on the outside.”

Longmuir was also worried by his team’s inability to move the ball from defence.

“We can’t play good teams by getting stuck in your back half, because the dam wall will break,” Longmuir said.