Four of Freo’s gun players are confirmed to play in Sunday’s AAMI Community Series clash against West Coast at Optus Stadium, according to Senior Coach Justin Longmuir.
David Mundy, Sean Darcy, Luke Ryan and Michael Walters will all play their first competitive hitout against AFL opposition this year after missing last Friday’s practice match against the Eagles.
Two time Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe will miss out on selection as Fremantle looks for the captain to build more strength in his shoulder, however round one is still in the frame.
“Sean Darcy, Luke Ryan, David Mundy and Michael Walters will come back into the team. There was strong consideration on playing ‘Fyfey’ for a half but there’s a couple of markers that he hasn’t quite reached with his strength in that shoulder,” Longmuir said.
“We expect him to make some really good progress on that, like he has, over the next couple of weeks and it doesn’t change our thoughts with him for round one but he’s going to miss this week.”
Longmuir said Fremantle are looking at other methods to get Fyfe’s match practice up ahead of a potential round one return on 20 March against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
“He’s an experienced campaigner, his fitness is at an elite level, he’s just got to pick up a couple of markers in his strength in that shoulder. It’s a long season so we decided not to risk it this week,” Longmuir said.
“He’s done a lot and he’s been in full training for a couple of weeks. (Match practice) is hard to replicate though. It’s not the same as a game, you don’t get the same collision at 360 (degrees).
“We’re going to have to get creative over the next couple of weeks to give him confidence in all those areas.”
Longmuir confirmed Mundy and Walters will play a full game.
“Mundy’s played a fair bit of match sim so we expect him to come up pretty quick,” Longmuir said.
“He’ll play a full game, he’s ready for it. He did all the work last week, he had a sore neck so he was still able to run and did a couple of heavy footy sessions. We need to get a full game into him.
“Walters is right to go. He’s had a massive pre-season. We probably showed a fair bit of precaution with that hamstring (injury), we could have pushed him to play last week but decided to take no risks at this time of the season. He’s right to play a full game.”
Midfielder Darcy Tucker remains in the frame for round one selection after missing the past fortnight at training due to a hamstring injury.
“He’ll be pushing for full training next week and should be able to complete a full session next Sunday when we train before round one,” Longmuir said.
“He’s possibly up for selection for round one, we’re in a pretty good position at the moment with good competition for spots and he’ll enter that competition.”
Young key forward Jye Amiss is set to play a half of football with Peel as he builds his fitness after an interrupted first pre-season at Fremantle.
“He’ll play a half at Peel this week. He’s done a mountain of work since he hurt himself post-Christmas. We’re excited to see what he can do,” Longmuir said.
Ruckman Lloyd Meek is likely to join Amiss at Peel as he misses selection despite an impressive showing up against Nic Naitanui last Friday.
“Sean coming in means Lloyd will be out at this stage,” Longmuir said.
“We’re still working on the balance of our team. I thought Rory Lobb competed really well as a second ruck last week and he competed really well as a forward as well.
“(Lobb will) take the second ruck option, it’s probably the way we like to do it in season, given that Sean does 80 per cent of the ruck when he’s there. That’s the way we’re going to go this week.”
AAMI Community Series game relocated to Optus Stadium
Freo's forward mantra
Freo train at Optus Stadium 3 March
