Midfielder Lachie Neale headlines six inclusions to Fremantle’s squad of 25 for Sunday’s clash with Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

After playing 20 games so far in 2017, Neale is looking to make his return after a week on the sidelines with knee and groin soreness.

Shane Kersten, Sam Collins, Tommy Sheridan, Jon Griffin and Danyle Pearce are also in line to make Freo’s final 22, which will be finalised on Friday afternoon. 

As the lone specialist ruckman in Freo’s squad, Griffin is likely to play his seventh game of he season, coming in to replace the suspended Sean Darcy.

Kersten is likely to replace the omitted Cam McCarthy up front. With 24 goals in 2017, the key forward needs two majors to overtake McCarthy as Fremantle’s leading goalkicker.

Collins and Sheridan come into the squad after impressive recent performances for Peel, while Pearce was held over as an emergency for last week’s clash with Richmond. 

Ryan Nuhuis (omitted) joins McCarthy and Darcy as Fremantle’s three omissions.

Meanwhile Essendon has added five players to their squad of five, led by former captain Jobe Watson.

Watson is joined by Heath Hocking, Shaun McKernan, Travis Colyer and Kyle Langford while Josh Green (foot) and Craig Bird have been omitted.

The final teams will be announced at 3pm Friday on fremantlefc.com.au.