Fremantle could see a number of changes to their starting 22 when taking on Hawthorn on Sunday at Optus Stadium.
There are a handful of players set to return from injury on top of a number of impressive performances for Peel against South Fremantle last Saturday in the WAFL.
Aaron Sandilands
Sandilands remains a test to return against the Hawks with the 211cm ruckman missing the past four weeks with a calf injury.
Sandilands has been at his usual best in his 16th season at Fremantle and sits behind only Max Gawn for average hitouts and hitouts to advantage in the AFL in 2018.
Sean Darcy
Fremantle could see both of their lead ruckmen returning with Sean Darcy a late withdrawal against Essendon with a minor groin injury.
High performance manager Jason Weber said Darcy was taken ‘right to the wire in warm-up’ before his withdrawal.
Be there to see Freo take on the Hawks! Buy your tickets here
Stephen Hill
Hill has been in and out of Fremantle’s starting 22 with a quad injury. Senior coach Ross Lyon said that Hill’s omission against the Bombers wasn’t due to a serious setback.
“It’s just a bit of (quad) tightness,” Lyon said.
“It’s certainly not a repeat (injury). He could almost play but in that area you risk a significant injury and it can be quite tricky.
“(We decided to) be a bit careful with Stephen, he’s a special player to us.”
Andrew Brayshaw
The first-year player is a test to return from a two-week stint on the sidelines after picking up a minor groin injury against Melbourne.
Brayshaw has played 15 games for Fremantle in his debut season, averaging 15.3 disposals and 4.5 tackles per game.
Hayden Ballantyne
Ballantyne faces a fitness test to return from an ankle injury, which has seen the tenacious forward on the sidelines since round 16. Ballantyne has played 13 games this season, kicking 14 goals.
Mitch Crowden
The small midfielder/forward played eight of Fremantle’s opening nine games of the season and just put up his best performance in the WAFL since his omission.
The 19-year-old collected 27 disposals, nine clearances and laid nine tackles in Peel’s 24-point win against South Fremantle.
Shane Kersten
Collected 20 disposals and seven rebound 50s in a strong performance for Peel. The defender has played six AFL games this season, including five games between rounds 11 and 16 since making the switch from the forwardline.
Matt Taberner
Taberner is listed as a test for this weekend, however the key forward would be more likely to return via the WAFL if fit. With three months on the sidelines since sustaining the injury in round five, it’s more likely that Taberner will need to build up his match fitness before returning to the AFL.
Harley Bennell
Bennell played his first game for Peel against South Fremantle, collecting a season-high 22 disposals and kicking 1.2.
