David Mundy, Nathan Wilson and Brandon Matera headline the returns to the Fremantle line-up to restart Freo’s 2020 campaign against Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday afternoon.
The trio are the only changes from the round one line-up that faced Essendon earlier this year, with Sam Sturt (injured), Cam McCarthy (illness) and Mitch Crowden (omitted) coming out of the side.
Wilson will play for the first time since round 19 last year after sustaining a toe injury.
While initially slated to miss the early rounds of the season, the extended break due to the pause in the season gave the half-back time to recover in time for round two.
Mundy also returns after sustaining a fibular fracture in the recent off-season period.
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Key forward Jesse Hogan is set to make his return to football through a reserves scratch match against the Lions on Saturday morning, prior to the AFL clash.
Senior coach Justin Longmuir confirmed in a Wednesday media conference that Hogan would play on Saturday, however, did not know if it would be at AFL level at the time.
"He'll play football this weekend. The thing we need to realise with Jesse is he hasn't played senior footy for a year now,” Longmuir said.
"We need to make him resilient as a player so that he can get through 15 or 16 consecutive games."
Midfielder Blake Acres will have to wait at least another week to make his club debut, after coming off the ground during the team’s final training session on Thursday afternoon with an injury to his right leg.
After impressing with three goals on debut in round one, Sturt comes out of the side as he builds his fitness after recently recovering from a minor back injury.
McCarthy will miss the Lions clash after collapsing at training last Wednesday, while Crowden has been omitted.
Bouncedown for Saturday’s clash is at 11.45am (WST), with the game broadcast live in WA on Channel 7 and nationally on Foxtel. The match will also be streamed live via Kayo and AFL Live Pass.
TEAM v BRISBANE LIONS
Backs: Luke Ryan, Griffin Logue, Ethan Hughes
Half-backs: Reece Conca, Brennan Cox, Nathan Wilson
Centre: Brett Bewley, Nat Fyfe, James Aish
Half-forwards: Adam Cerra, Matt Taberner, Bailey Banfield
Full forwards: Brandon Matera, Rory Lobb, Michael Walters
Ruck/followers: Sean Darcy, Darcy Tucker, David Mundy
Interchange: Andy Brayshaw, Lachie Schultz, Travis Colyer, Taylin Duman
Emergencies: Caleb Serong, Connor Blakely, Hayden Young, Mitchell Crowden
IN: David Mundy, Nathan Wilson, Brandon Matera
OUT: Cam McCarthy, Sam Sturt, Mitch Crowden
