Walyalup (Fremantle) defender Jordan Clark says his teammates won’t attempt to be friendly towards former teammate Lachie Schultz as they come head-to-head for the first time since his bombshell trade. 

Schultz requested a trade to Collingwood at the end of last season in an unexpected move that shocked the Freo faithful. 

The small forward will notch up his 100th game against the team he played most of these games for, before requesting the bombshell trade to the reigning premiers. 

Clark, who will likely be matched against him at some stage during Friday’s clash, says he wishes him all the best, but won’t be too friendly. 

“I’d say there’s a fair chance we’ll cross paths. In terms of direct opponents, not sure because we are a 6v6 defensive group,” he told Sports Breakfast. 

“(We) like to help each other defend, so I think we’ll cross paths with him and all the best to Shoota.” 

“I’ll probably have a chat to him, but that’ll be after the game. 

“He’s a very lovable bloke that we had around our club and very tight-knit with the boys, but come tomorrow night he’s on the other side and we’re not going to try and be that friendly to him.”

The Dockers have confirmed ruck Sean Darcy will return to the side this weekend against the Magpies. 

A calf injury has seen Darcy benched for two weeks, with young forward Patrick Voss pitching in to help out in the ruck during his absence. 

With Darcy back in the side, Jackson can expect to spend more time in the forward line, resuming his role as a second ruck, after a brilliant performance last weekend against St Kilda ruck Rohan Marshall. 

“Luke’s a very good player. Going forward he’s going to absolutely turn into one of the best ruckmen-midfielders, whatever you want him to be in the game,” said Clark. 

“Sean’s been a big help for him in terms of his ruck contests and his development in the ruck. 

“This weekend we do get big Sean back and boost our team again because he’s a quality player and I think he is one of the best ruckmen in the game.” 

Collingwood and Walyaup (Fremantle) are placed 5th and 9th on the ladder respectively. A win for the Dockers would leapfrog over the Magpies into the eight by two points. 

However, Clark says his side isn’t viewing it as a season-defining game and doesn’t outweigh the importance of any other game.  

“We talk about this every week. Every game is as valuable as each other. There are no easy games in the AFL these days and no game is harder than the other,” he said.

“We’re going out there to win and that’s our mindset. We’re hoping to take a scalp and knock them off.”

“It certainly will be beneficial knocking off the Pies and I don’t think it’s going to outweigh any other games and impact our season any more than any other game. We’re just looking at this one and hoping to win it.”

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