After three months on the sidelines with a foot injury, key forward Matt Taberner is set to make his return to AFL football in Sunday’s Western Derby at Optus Stadium.

Taberner is one of five potential inclusions for the clash against West Coast, with Brady Grey, Mitch Crowden, Hayden Ballantyne and Cam McCarthy also named in the extended squad.

The injured Cam Sutcliffe (hamstring) is the only omission at this stage, with the final 22 to be announced at 3pm on Friday on fremantlefc.com.au. 

The 197cm Taberner kicked three goals in the WAFL for Peel against West Perth last Saturday, playing his first game of football since injuring his foot in round five against the Western Bulldogs. 

Grey is in line to play his first AFL game since round 20 of the 2017 season, with the small forward returning from multiple hamstring injuries. 

The 23-year-old has impressed in the past fortnight for Peel, collecting 10 tackles against South Fremantle a fortnight ago and 25 touches, four tackles and a goal against West Perth. 

Crowden has also built his form in the WAFL in recent weeks, with 57 disposals in his past two appearances for Peel.

Hayden Ballantyne is looking to play his first game since missing a month at AFL level with an ankle injury while Cam McCarthy could make his return to the starting 22 since his omission following Fremantle’s clash with Essendon in round 18.

Sunday’s clash at Optus Stadium is an ‘away’ game for Fremantle with bouncedown at 2.40pm.

SQUAD V WEST COAST
1. Hayden Ballantyne
3. Brandon Matera
4. Sean Darcy
5. Adam Cerra
8. Andrew Brayshaw
9. Bradley Hill
10. Michael Walters
11. Tommy Sheridan
12. Mitch Crowden
14. Nathan Wilson
16. David Mundy
18. Darcy Tucker
20. Matt Taberner
21. Joel Hamling
23. Cam McCarthy
25. Alex Pearce
26. Ed Langdon
27. Lachie Neale
28. Brady Grey
32. Stephen Hill
36. Brennan Cox
38. Luke Ryan
40. Scott Jones
41. Bailey Banfield
42. Stefan Giro
44. Taylin Duman