Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir says Josh Draper ‘touch and go’ to play Richmond

Jye Amiss and Sam Switkowski are a good chance of returning for Fremantle’s MCG showdown with Richmond on Sunday, but young key defender Josh Draper will be “touch and go”.

Dockers coach Justin Longmuir says Draper, who hurt his hamstring during the side’s victory against the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium, which snapped a three-game losing skid, has pulled up better than expected after being forced from the game.

“It’s definitely looking a lot more positive now than it did during the game or post-game, so he’s recovered really well, but he’ll be touch and go,” he told 7NEWS on Tuesday.

“We’ll see whether it’s worth taking the risk on it or not.”

Amiss missed the win over the Bulldogs after being entered into the AFL’s concussion protocols due to an errant Jeremy McGovern knee clashing with his head during the Dockers’ western derby defeat but is available for selection this week.

Meanwhile, Switkowski has not played since Fremantle’s tough loss at the hands of Port Adelaide in round five.

“(Amiss and Switkowski) are both a good chance,” Longmuir said.

“They will need to tick the box of getting through main training, and Switta didn’t tick that box last week, so fingers crossed he gets through it this week.

“Jye has been looking promising since the incident happened against West Coast, so we’re hoping he gets through training as well.”

If the pair return, it could mean debutants Patrick Voss, who sparked a Dockers run with his first AFL goal, and Cooper Simpson are sent back to the reserves despite impressing in their maiden AFL meeting.

Hugh Davies is being floated as a like-for-like replacement for Draper after taking one-on-one roles in Peel Thunder’s backline if the defender is ruled out from travelling.

Longmuir also addressed the Optus Stadium surface on Tuesday, which came under the spotlight as both Bulldogs and Dockers players struggled to remain upright on the greasy surface.

“I think the surface is a little bit inconsistent, and whenever you see players slipping and sliding, it’s not great,” the Dockers boss said.

“I just think the players are having a little bit of trouble dealing with the inconsistencies of the surface.

“I think (the stadium) is aware of it and working towards fixing a couple of those things, so hopefully, we see it improve over the next month or so.”