Fremantle Dockers confident important defender Ash Brazill will be fit to face Adelaide Crows

Fremantle are confident important defender Ash Brazill will be fit to face Adelaide in the semifinal after the veteran declared herself “ready to go”.

Brazill was a late withdrawal ahead of the club’s 10-point elimination final victory over Essendon on Saturday after failing to pass a fitness test on her injured ankle that morning, replaced by midfielder Joanne Cregg.

Webb was confident the former dual-code star, who has been important in defence for the Dockers since crossing from Collingwood in the off-season, would be available for the Crows clash.

“I just saw her then and she was saying ‘I’m ready to go, coach’,” Webb said.

The second-year coach defended her decision to name Brazill to face the Bombers, saying she wanted to give the 34-year-old every opportunity to play.

“She was really close, we try and give them until the last minute,” Webb said.

“I know it always comes up, but we train after the teams come out, so we were always going to name her and test her.”

After featuring in the first 10 games of the season, Brazill has been sidelined the past two games after hurting her ankle in the clash with Greater Western Sydney.

She has been in a moon boot since the round nine clash, including during training, but the Dockers said it was a precautionary measure to avoid further damage.

Adelaide will host Fremantle in the semi-final next week after losing to undefeated minor premiers North Melbourne on Friday.

The Crows narrowly edged out the Dockers for a double chance after securing fourth spot with a stronger percentage.