Fremantle have confirmed their final team of 23 to play North Melbourne on Saturday night in a rare ‘away’ game at Optus Stadium.
There’s no changes to the Freo side that won a close contest against the Gold Coast Suns in Queensland ahead of the Club’s Round 13 bye.
Matthew Johnson and Corey Wagner will play their 50th AFL games, named on the wing and at half back, respectively.
Johnson is enjoying a career-best year statistically in the midfield, posting career-high numbers across multiple categories, including average disposals, marks and tackles per game.
Taking on one of his former Clubs, Wagner will play his 10th AFL game of the season – marking just the third time in a seven-year career that he has reached double figures in a single season.
Becoming a valuable playmaker, Wagner has been used in defence and in the midfield, occasionally being set run-with roles against dangerous opposition.
As revealed in the Club’s Round 14 Injury Update, captain Alex Pearce won’t feature due to a shin injury. After replacing Pearce last game, young defender Josh Draper holds his spot, named at full-back alongside experienced duo Luke Ryan and Brennan Cox.
Midfielder Caleb Serong will lead the side in Pearce’s absence.
Fremantle have won five of the last six matches against North Melbourne, including three of the last four at Optus Stadium.
Speaking at his Thursday media conference, Senior Coach Justin Longmuir called on Fremantle fans to purchase tickets for the clash.
“It’s going to be unique clearly. It’s an away game at Optus - not against West Coast - which is something new and will be different for our players,” Longmuir said.
“We are desperate for our fans to get there. We understand it’s not part of the membership (being an away game), but we’d love people to come and support us.
“We want to make our home ground a fortress and we need the purple army there.”
Dual Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe is named on the interchange bench alongside Sean Darcy, Neil Erasmus, Bailey Banfield and Karl Worner.
Fyfe played his first AFL game of the year against Gold Coast, featuring as the substitute in the win.
James Aish, Isaiah Dudley and Oscar McDonald have been named as emergencies.
Fremantle will wear the Club’s popular Stealth jumper for the game. The striking guernsey is largely all-black with purple chevrons.
Bounce-down is scheduled for 5.35 pm WST.
The game will be broadcast live on 7mate and Fox Footy and streamed live on 7plus and Kayo from 5.30 pm WST.
