Defender Judd McVee will make his Fremantle debut against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday after moving west during the 2025 trade period.

Defender Brandon Walker returns for his first AFL game since Round 2 of last year - when he dislocated his shoulder against Sydney - resulting in the 23-year-old requiring surgery and missing the remainder of the season. 

After missing a number of training sessions, midfielder Hayden Young hit the track before boarding the flight to Avalon and has been named on the five-man bench alongside Jye Amiss, Neil Erasmus, Nathan O’Driscoll and Walker.

Veteran midfielder Jaeger O’Meara suffered a low-grade hamstring injury at training earlier in the week and will miss the Cats clash. 

Key defender Oscar McDonald will line up at fullback behind skipper Alex Pearce, with fellow defensive pillar Brennan Cox still sidelined with a calf injury. 

Mason Cox, Bailey Banfield and Hugh Davies have been named as the three emergencies.

Fremantle will look to open the Club’s 2026 campaign with a win over Geelong after a disappointing 78-point loss at GMHBA Stadium in last year’s season-opener.

Freo fans are reminded Saturday’s game will be a delayed telecast on free-to-air. 

Round 1 V Geelong

Match begins 1.15pm WST Saturday 14 March, GMHBA Stadium

Fox Sports and Kayo – Live from 1.00pm WST

Channel 7 and 7plus – delayed broadcast from 3.00pm WST