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Fremantle Chooses Mason Cox as Second Ruck for Qualifying Final
Fremantle will keep Mason Cox as the second ruckman for Thursday’s qualifying final against Hawthorn at Optus Stadium, rather than recalling injured ruckman Sean Darcy. The decision, announced by coach Justin Longmuir, follows a season‑long debate over the Dockers’ ruck configuration.
The Dockers’ ruck situation has been a focal point of the 2026 AFL campaign. Longmuir has weighed the options between American‑born Mason Cox and club icon Sean Darcy, who has struggled with injuries for the past three years. Cox has played 16 games this season, while Darcy has appeared in only seven and has spent time in the WAFL with Peel Thunder. According to Longmuir’s comments to Kayo Sports’ AFL 360, “No, we think Coxy will play this week. We feel like his form is good enough to hold his spot, and I don’t want to make too many changes either coming into our first final. So we feel like he’s done his role and has done enough to keep his spot in the side.”
Cox’s height of 211 cm and his experience as a ruckman and key forward give him a solid platform for the role. In contrast, Darcy’s 203‑cm frame and 110‑kg frame have been hampered by recurring injuries, limiting his availability for the Dockers’ finals push.
Hawthorn’s ruck options for the match include former Docker Lloyd Meek, who will lead the ruck charge, and athletic players Mabior Chol and Josh Weddle, who have been used for their mobility and ability to win hit‑outs when needed.
In addition to the ruck decision, Longmuir is expected to bring back a quartet of midfielders for the final. Ned Reeves, who played in the VFL over the weekend and recorded 12 touches, 36 hit‑outs, six tackles and a goal in Box Hill’s win over Werribee, will be in contention for a spot in Sam Mitchell’s side. The other players slated for recall are Murphy Reid, Sam Switkowski, Jye Amiss and Heath Chapman, all of whom were managed for the Round 24 clash against Carlton and are now primed for the Dockers’ first final.
The Dockers’ lineup will also feature Luke Jackson as the primary ruckman. Jackson, who stands 199 cm tall, has become a regular in the ruck role after a strong performance in the 2022 season and has been praised for his versatility. With Cox as the backup, the Dockers aim to maintain a stable ruck partnership while limiting changes to the lineup heading into the finals.
The decision to keep Cox reflects Longmuir’s preference for continuity and his assessment that Cox’s recent form is sufficient for the demands of a qualifying final. It also underscores the Dockers’ cautious approach to player selection, given the physical toll of the finals series.
The match will be the first of Fremantle’s finals campaign, and the outcome will determine whether the Dockers advance to the semi‑finals. The team’s preparation has been focused on the ruck battle and midfield solidity, with the recalled quartet expected to provide depth and experience.
As the Dockers head into the final, the focus will remain on maintaining a balanced lineup that can adapt to Hawthorn’s ruck strategy while protecting key players from injury. The decision to keep Cox in the side signals a measured approach to player management as Fremantle seeks to build momentum in the 2026 AFL season.
The Dockers will face Hawthorn on Thursday night at Optus Stadium, with the result setting the stage for the remainder of the finals series. The team’s performance will be closely watched by supporters and analysts alike, as Fremantle continues to navigate the challenges of a competitive AFL landscape.
The Dockers’ ruck situation has been a focal point of the 2026 AFL campaign. Longmuir has weighed the options between American‑born Mason Cox and club icon Sean Darcy, who has struggled with injuries for the past three years. Cox has played 16 games this season, while Darcy has appeared in only seven and has spent time in the WAFL with Peel Thunder. According to Longmuir’s comments to Kayo Sports’ AFL 360, “No, we think Coxy will play this week. We feel like his form is good enough to hold his spot, and I don’t want to make too many changes either coming into our first final. So we feel like he’s done his role and has done enough to keep his spot in the side.”
Cox’s height of 211 cm and his experience as a ruckman and key forward give him a solid platform for the role. In contrast, Darcy’s 203‑cm frame and 110‑kg frame have been hampered by recurring injuries, limiting his availability for the Dockers’ finals push.
Hawthorn’s ruck options for the match include former Docker Lloyd Meek, who will lead the ruck charge, and athletic players Mabior Chol and Josh Weddle, who have been used for their mobility and ability to win hit‑outs when needed.
In addition to the ruck decision, Longmuir is expected to bring back a quartet of midfielders for the final. Ned Reeves, who played in the VFL over the weekend and recorded 12 touches, 36 hit‑outs, six tackles and a goal in Box Hill’s win over Werribee, will be in contention for a spot in Sam Mitchell’s side. The other players slated for recall are Murphy Reid, Sam Switkowski, Jye Amiss and Heath Chapman, all of whom were managed for the Round 24 clash against Carlton and are now primed for the Dockers’ first final.
The Dockers’ lineup will also feature Luke Jackson as the primary ruckman. Jackson, who stands 199 cm tall, has become a regular in the ruck role after a strong performance in the 2022 season and has been praised for his versatility. With Cox as the backup, the Dockers aim to maintain a stable ruck partnership while limiting changes to the lineup heading into the finals.
The decision to keep Cox reflects Longmuir’s preference for continuity and his assessment that Cox’s recent form is sufficient for the demands of a qualifying final. It also underscores the Dockers’ cautious approach to player selection, given the physical toll of the finals series.
The match will be the first of Fremantle’s finals campaign, and the outcome will determine whether the Dockers advance to the semi‑finals. The team’s preparation has been focused on the ruck battle and midfield solidity, with the recalled quartet expected to provide depth and experience.
As the Dockers head into the final, the focus will remain on maintaining a balanced lineup that can adapt to Hawthorn’s ruck strategy while protecting key players from injury. The decision to keep Cox in the side signals a measured approach to player management as Fremantle seeks to build momentum in the 2026 AFL season.
The Dockers will face Hawthorn on Thursday night at Optus Stadium, with the result setting the stage for the remainder of the finals series. The team’s performance will be closely watched by supporters and analysts alike, as Fremantle continues to navigate the challenges of a competitive AFL landscape.
