Fremantle have confirmed their final team of 23 to take on Gold Coast this Saturday afternoon at People First Stadium.
Dual Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe headlines Fremantle’s inclusions, named to play his first AFL game of 2025, while ruckman Sean Darcy and key defender Josh Draper also come into the line-up.
The trio will replace injured pair Alex Pearce and Cooper Simpson, while Isaiah Dudley will miss for personal reasons.
The Fremantle captain has been ruled out of Saturday’s Round 12 clash with the Gold Coast Suns due to a stress response in his shin.
On Tuesday, Pearce advised the Club that he had some lingering pain in his lower leg following Saturday night’s win over Port Adelaide. Pearce had sustained an impact injury earlier in the season, though investigations did not find any abnormalities.
Further investigation after a scan on Wednesday revealed a stress response in his left shin.
Pearce will now undergo a deloading period and complete an off legs program. He will be reassessed after the Club’s bye when Fremantle will be able to provide a further update.
Fyfe’s return to football comes after his recovery from a moderate-grade hamstring strain sustained in his sole outing for Peel Thunder in the WAFL last month.
Darcy has overcome knee soreness that saw him miss Fremantle’s past two matches against GWS and Port Adelaide, while Draper will play his 9th AFL game of the season after not featuring in the senior side since Round 8 against St Kilda.
Andrew Brayshaw will captain the side in Alex Pearce's absence.
Fremantle will play at People First Stadium on the Gold Coast for the first time since Round 9 of 2022.
The clash will also mark the first time Jeremy Sharp has returned to play on the Gold Coast since his trade to Fremantle ahead of the 2024 season.
Fyfe and Darcy are joined by Corey Wagner, Neil Erasmus and Bailey Banfield on the interchange bench.
Nathan O’Driscoll, James Aish and Hugh Davies have been named as the emergencies.
The tactical substitute will be announced one hour before the game.
Bounce-down is scheduled for 1.20pm AEST / 11.20am WST.
The game will be broadcast live into WA on Fox Footy and Channel 7 as well as streamed live on Kayo and 7plus.
