There’s a bus being driven by Ross Lyon headed towards September, and while all the seats are currently occupied, there are more stops between now and finals with plenty of passengers putting their hands up to jump on.

That’s the analogy Chris Mayne used to describe how tough competition for spots has been and will continue to be at Fremantle in 2014.

This week’s Peel Thunder team includes leadership group member Matt de Boer, proven ruckman Jon Griffin and a host of players who have AFL experience, such as Kepler Bradley, Scott Gumbleton, Hayden Crozier and Tommy Sheridan.

The rehab group includes brilliant forward Michael Walters, while star defenders Luke McPharlin and Garrick Ibbotson came out of the team with injury this week but should return soon.

“It’s excellent to see that we’ve got a lot of players fighting for positions,” Mayne said.

“It just keeps you on your toes and it keeps you hungry.

“You just want to keep your seat on the bus, you don’t want to give that up to anyone, because you never know how long you can be out for.”

Mayne said every member of the squad trained and played with the ultimate goal of being a member of the club’s best 22.

While it wasn’t possible for everyone to get in, he said the competition was incredibly healthy for the club as a whole.

“I know through fact that the players in rehab right now and the players playing WAFL footy want to be playing for Fremantle,” Mayne said.

“This game is that challenging and demanding of you, that you just want to be a part of it, no matter what.

“We want to be playing our best side every week, so it does keep the pressure on spots, which is good.

“It’s an exciting time for us.”