Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir and his Essendon counterpart Ben Rutten loom the two big 'ins' when the AFL clubs lock horns at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
Longmuir missed Fremantle's recent wins over West Coast and GWS after being deemed a close COVID-19 contact and eventually contracting the virus himself.
Rutten entered the AFL's health and safety protocols last week for being a close COVID-19 contact, ruling him out of the four-point win over Adelaide.
Both coaches have been cleared to return for Sunday's encounter, and the match looms as a crucial fixture for each side.
Fremantle are 3-1, and a win over Essendon would help boost their top-four credentials.
The Bombers' finals hopes are already on thin ice following their 1-3 start to the season, but a win over Fremantle on the back of last week's triumph over Adelaide could prove to be the kick-start they need.
Longmuir said it was frustrating to be forced away from the coaching hot seat for two games, but he was full of praise for his fill-in Jaymie Graham and the rest of the coaching staff.
"The players just went about their business as normal, and that was because of the seamless transition of the coaching group," Longmuir said.
"Sitting on the couch watching the footy wasn't great for the heart rate at times, but super proud of the club for getting it done in my absence."
The Bombers will again be without Jake Stringer, while Will Snelling (calf), Brayden Ham (dropped), and Tex Wanganeen (dropped) all go out of the side.
Midfielder Ben Hobbs, the No.13 pick in last year's national draft, will make his AFL debut, and Nik Cox has been named to return.
Fremantle have been bolstered by the returns of defender Alex Pearce (ankle) and midfielder Caleb Serong (ankle).
Griffin Logue was the unlucky player to be dropped for Pearce despite his strong display against GWS last week, while small forward Lachie Schultz (COVID protocols) was ruled out.
With Stringer out of action, Essendon spearhead Peter Wright looms as one of the biggest dangers in attack for Fremantle.
Wright has booted 12.4 in four matches this season, and Longmuir is set to hand Pearce first crack.
"Pearce is probably our preferred match-up just because of the sheer size of Wright," Longmuir said.
"He (Wright) is clearly one of the best in-form forwards of the comp, especially with his marking.
"But we can change it around. We've also got Brennan Cox. He's high 190s in height."
The Dockers have lost their past five matches against Essendon at Marvel Stadium, but the three most recent ones have been by seven points or less.
