Justin Longmuir has conceded that Fremantle will have multiple outs under the AFL’s Health and Safety Protocols ahead of Friday night’s clash with North Melbourne at Optus Stadium.
The Club will release any outs at Thursday’s team selection and Longmuir said on 7NEWS there was still uncertainty around who will play with test results still to come in.
Fremantle have taken significant measures to limit any spread at the Club, with players training individually and in small groups on Monday, while moving team meetings online.
Longmuir said he was confident these measures would mean Fremantle can field a fit and competitive team against North Melbourne and not need to call on its WAFL contingency list.
“We’re still waiting on a few results to come back. We expect that list to grow but how many, we’re unsure of at the moment,” Longmuir told 7NEWS.
“We don’t think it’s going to get that bad (using top-up players) but you never know with these sorts of things.
“We just need to really play it by ear. Hopefully, we’ve stopped it at a level where we can manage it with our own list.”
Fremantle are set to be bolstered with the potential returns of ruckman Sean Darcy from concussion and skilful defenders Heath Chapman and Hayden Young, who are available after exiting the AFL’s Health and Safety Protocols.
“It’s looking very positive (with Sean) at this stage, we clearly need to wait and see how he gets through full training but as far as the protocols from the AFL, he seems to have ticked every box and we’re confident he’ll come back into the side,” Longmuir said.
“Both (Young and Chapman) have recovered really well. They need to get through training and the most important thing is how they recover from training (on Tuesday night), but if they do, they’ll come back into the side.”
Be there for Freo's first Friday Night game since 2016!
With uncertainty around availability, Longmuir may recall Sam Sturt for his first game of 2022 as well as name a potential debutant in Jye Amiss.
Amiss was Fremantle’s top draft pick at the 2021 NAB AFL Draft at no.8 as a gun key forward from East Perth.
The pair have WAFL form to back their potential AFL selections, kicking three goals each against West Coast on Saturday.
Amiss also starred in round one with five goals in his league debut against West Perth.
“Jye will come into consideration for sure, we are a bit short on talls at the moment,” Longmuir said.
“He’ll come into consideration. We’ve still got a few options, so selection is going to be interesting this week.
“(Sturt is) a chance. We’re really happy with his progress, particularly over the past two or three weeks.
“I think his intensity is matching AFL level at WAFL level, so he’s progressing really well. Whether we see him this week or not, he’s on the right track.”
Tickets on sale for Friday night lights!
How Freo built its list
Clark 'has more to give'
