Fremantle senior coach Ross Lyon says emerging young tall forward Matt Taberner still needs time to develop.
 
Taberner has not played since round 17, after he was omitted to spend time perfecting his craft with Peel Thunder in the WAFL.
 
He was named in a 25-man squad on Thursday and the possible absence of captain Matthew Pavlich (Achilles), may open the door for a return against Melbourne on Sunday.

We expect an angry Melbourne: Lyon
 
The 22-year-old has booted 12 goals from 13 games this season but is yet to cement his spot in the AFL side.
 
Lyon said Taberner had played in a number of wet games, which were not conducive to tall forwards, but he may play despite forecast rain on Sunday.
 
“He hasn’t been great in the wet and we’ve subbed him out,” he said.
 
“We’ve got to understand how tough it is for young key forwards.
 
“He will run into some road blocks, but he’s big, he’s strong and he works hard.”

Talking Points ahead of Demons
 
Lyon said Fremantle had not recruited a tall forward to the club under free agency so turned its focus to developing its next generation.
 
“My only alternative is to grow young players like Taberner,” he said.
 
“We got him (Taberner) off the rookie list and Zac Clarke is a work in progress.”