Nathan O’Driscoll, Oscar McDonald and Chris Scerri have all been recalled to Walyalup's best 23 ahead of this Sunday’s Round 10 clash with Essendon at the MCG.
The three will replace Alex Pearce (knee injury), Corey Wagner (abductor injury) and Hayden Young (concussion).
O’Driscoll will line up for his third AFL game of 2026, last playing in the Club’s Round 2 victory over Narrm at Optus Stadium.
His selection comes following strong form in the WAFL, recording over 20 disposals in every game he’s played this season and averaging just under five tackles a game.
Oscar McDonald will also play his first game for Freo since Round 2 and will be a key part of the squad’s defence as they look to cover the loss of skipper Alex Pearce.
Scerri, who made his AFL debut earlier in the season, will return for his fifth career game and look to continue his undefeated streak as a player, winning four games from four appearances.
O’Driscoll, McDonald and Scerri have all been named on the bench alongside Mason Cox and Neil Erasmus.
Michael Frederick and Matthew Johnson will line up on the wing, with Andy Brayshaw, Shai Bolton, Caleb Serong and Luke Jackson rounding out the midfield.
Jeremy Sharp, Bailey Banfield and Hugh Davies have been named as the three emergencies.
Walyalup have won two of their last three encounters with Essendon, which includes a one-point defeat in 2024 at the MCG.
As part of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash, Walyalup will proudly wear the Club’s 2026 Indigenous guernsey.
The design has been brought to life through artwork by Mariah Yarran, in collaboration with Walyalup great Stephen Hill, with the central theme focusing on strong family connections and history.
The special edition is a throwback to Hill’s debut in the Club’s 2009 Purple Haze game, featuring a purple background with white anchor. The anchor on the front of the jumper includes symbols representing the journeys of different members of Hill’s family.
The game commences at 11.10am WST (1.10pm EST) and will be broadcast live on Fox Footy and Channel 7 from 11am and can be streamed on both Kayo and 7plus from 11am.
