Fremantle defender Brennan Cox’s late season injuries and lack of match practice will make it harder for him to break nto the team for Friday night’s preliminary final against Sydney according to coach Justin Longmuir.

Cox is looming as Fremantle’s hard luck story of the finals series after he injured his calf in the last game of the season. That injury occurred in the first quarter against Carlton at Marvel Stadium and followed not playing in rounds 20 and 21 due to other leg problems.

The 28-year-old has been a key part of Fremantle’s backline throughout their rise up the ladder, but he also missed games at the start of the season and in June.

Longmuir said Cox’s biggest challenge is being ready to play in a preliminary final after missing so much footy.

“Even before he got injured, he hadn’t been putting the string of work together. So, he’s going to be pushing it,” Longmuir said.

“We will see. He’s ticked every box. He’s going really well, so we’ll see where it sits later in the week. He clearly hasn’t main-trained yet, but see where see where it falls.”

The form of Fremantle’s other tall defenders is also making life difficult for Cox. Oscar McDonald has stepped up to replace him in the backline and has consistently performed well.

The Dockers have only attempted to play with Cox, McDonald and Alex Pearce in the same team twice all season.

Longmuir has stuck with form players all year which points to a similar team against Sydney.

“I think majority of players would tick their role,” he said .

“So, when you’re in the team and you play your role, it is hard to make changes. So, we’ll see where it sits. Like I said, he hasn’t main-trained, so there is water to go under under the bridge.”