Fremantle Dockers ruck Sean Darcy ruled out of Sydney Swans clash on Friday night 

Fremantle will be without Sean Darcy for the club’s blockbuster clash with Sydney at Optus Stadium after the ruckman failed to overcome a calf niggle.

Luke Jackson will return to No.1 ruck duties for the Dockers against Swans recruit Brodie Grundy with wet conditions forecast in Perth on Friday night.

Jackson is set to be replaced up forward by Patrick Voss, who gets another opportunity at senior level after an impressive debut in round seven with rising talent Josh Treacy to act as back-up ruck.

Pressure forward Sam Switkowski has overcome lingering concussion symptoms and will play his first game since round five in a massive boost for the Dockers in attack.

Dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe will return to the 22 after being the sub last week with second-gamer Cooper Simpson the unlucky omission, days after signing a two-year contract extension.

Veteran forward Michael Walters is expected to be named the sub this week after being included on an extended bench alongside Bailey Banfield Matthew Johnson, James Aish and Voss.

Dockers coach Justin Longmuir hinted the 33-year-old would follow in Fyfe’s footsteps following the five-day break.

“If it’s not this week, it might be next week,” Longmuir said on Wednesday.

Darcy was subbed out against Richmond with calf tightness and did not appear at main training this week. The Dockers expect him to be available for next week’s clash with St Kilda.

Meanwhile, Sydney have named defender Aaron Francis to replace Tom McCartin, who suffered a concussion against Greater Western Sydney last week.

It’s the only change for the Swans, who opted against bringing in star midfielder Luke Parker.

The veteran was best-on-ground last time Fremantle hosted Sydney at Optus Stadium, earning all 10 coaches’ votes in a 29-point victory over the Dockers.

FREMANTLE

B: B Walker A Pearce J Draper

HB: H Chapman L Ryan J Clark

C: J Sharp A Brayshaw H Young

HF: J O’Meara J Treacy M Frederick

F: S Switkowski J Amiss T Emmett

FOLL: L Jackson C Serong N Fyfe

I/C: M Walters B Banfield M Johnson J Aish P Voss

EMG: E Hughes C Wagner L Reidy. SYDNEY

B: A Francis D Rampe L Melican

HB: H Cunningham O Florent N Blakey

C: E Gulden C Warner J Lloyd

HF: J Jordon L McDonald T Adams

F: T Papley J Amartey W Hayward

FOLL: B Grundy I Heeney J Rowbottom

I/C: M Roberts J McInerney H McLean S Wicks R Fox

EMG: C Mitchell P Ladhams B Campbell.