Hayden Young: Fremantle Dockers midfield star ruled out of Indigenous All-Stars game last week

Fremantle star Hayden Young has been ruled out of the team’s clash with the Indigenous All Stars after injuring his hamstring last week. But high profile recruit Shai Bolton remains a chance to play for the All Stars after being cleared of damage to his calf. He will be given a light week to avoid any further issues and then given a fitness test next week. The Dockers are still investigating Young’s injury, but it is a blow for the midfielder who has had an interrupted off-season. The dynamic onballer fractured his leg during Fremantle’s last game of the home-and-away season and then suffered another blow to the same region early in pre-season training. He’d been training well since returning from the Christmas break and was set to again form a strong combination with Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong in the centre square. Young had a break out season last year, finishing third in the best and fairest after becoming a full-time midfielder. He averaged 24 possessions per game, his 13 goals was clearly the highest tally for the on-ball brigade and he led the team for both tackles and inside 50s. Bolton’s potential availability for the All-Stars game is a boost for both himself and the club. The AFL named 31 players in the squad and while Liam Jones has already been ruled out, the other 30 will all be able to take the field throughout the clash at Optus Stadium on February 15. Bolton will be able to build match fitness with limited minutes if he gets through training next week. The Dockers have an intraclub game on Friday to prepare for that game but Bolton won’t be involved. This is Bolton’s first season at Fremantle after crossing to the club from Richmond. They will be hoping he can repeat the goalkicking heroics that he consistently produced as a Tiger. Caleb Serong suffered a scare with just seconds left in Tuesday morning’s session that went for more than two hours. Serong reached for his right foot after losing his boot in a contest. The angry midfielder then picked up the boot and slammed into the ground twice prompting concerns from players and staff. But it didn’t stop him from doing extra stoppage work after the session.