Senior coach Ross Lyon has said he expects Fremantle to make a number of changes to their starting 22 after Sunday’s loss to Port Adelaide.
A number of players are the running to make the step up from WAFL level and could be lining up for Fremantle against the Bulldogs on Saturday.
Tommy Sheridan
An emergency for round one, Sheridan played his second game of the WAFL season on the weekend, taking six marks and picking up 25 disposals for Peel. The 23-year-old played all but one game for Fremantle in 2016 and Lyon stated he could “easily” be picked on his current form.
Harley Balic
After three rounds of the WAFL season, Harley Balic leads the league for disposals with an average of 31 per game.
Against South Fremantle on Saturday, Balic took an impressive 11 marks to go with his 29 touches and four tackles.
The young midfielder is yet to make his AFL debut since arriving via in the 2015 National Draft but Ross Lyon stated that Fremantle will “look at him” for team selection this week.
Hayden Crozier
Crozier has split his time between a small forward role and as an inside midfielder during his three WAFL games this season. His versatility gives Fremantle a number of options after a 15 disposal and one goal performance on Saturday.
Ethan Hughes
Hughes was a part of Fremantle’s travelling party to Adelaide as an emergency, and will be eager to break into the 22 after a pair of strong performances at half-back for Peel.
The 22-year-old played five games for Fremantle in 2016, highlighted by his 20 disposals in his most recent AFL game against Adelaide in round 21.
Sam Collins
After 12 AFL appearances for Fremantle in 2016, Collins has shown strong form as a key defender for Peel. He took five marks for Peel on the weekend and is a tall option if Fremantle looks to inject youth into their defensive stocks.
Matt Taberner
Kicking inaccuracy prevented Taberner from backing up his five-goal performance against East Fremantle a fortnight ago. The key forward converted just one goal from his six scoring shots against South Fremantle, but took eight marks and created three inside 50s.
Sean Darcy
Has continued his strong start to the WAFL season with 35 hit-outs for Peel against South Fremantle. Darcy was the only first year player to feature in all three of Fremantle’s JLT Series games, and poses as a back-up option in the ruck.
Griffin Logue
Logue put in another strong performance in Peel’s backline with 18 disposals and seven marks.
At Sunday’s media conference, Lyon stressed his desire to take his time with the no.8 draft pick, stating the 18-year-old was “probably not” ready for selection, but at the same time said Fremantle was in a position to "start playing (the) kids".
Luke Ryan
Picked up 17 disposals, four marks and five tackles in his debut for Peel over the weekend. The 21-year-old was slated as a game-ready mature age draftee ahead of being selected by Fremantle in the 2016 National Draft, but has had an interrupted preseason battling a shoulder and ankle injury.
