FREMANTLE may be stocked with youth heading into the 2010 NAB Cup, but a glut of experience in the backline is set to cause a selection battle for the key defensive posts, according to veteran defender Antoni Grover.

With the arrival of former Bomber Adam McPhee, the transformation of Chris Tarrant into an elite full-back and Luke McPharlin’s expected return to centre half-back, coach Mark Harvey has four experienced options in defence.

McPhee may play a midfield role, but the former All-Australian centre half-back remains an attractive backline option for Harvey, while McPharlin played career-best football from centre half-back between 2007-08.

Grover, who made occasional appearances in the forward line for Fremantle in 2009, said he still believed he had a position in Fremantle’s backline, but competition for spots would be fierce.

“I think that’s something that, through the whole team, is only going to make us stronger and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Grover said from Subiaco Oval on Wednesday morning.

“There’s the opportunity to maybe swing up forward, but I still see myself having a position in the backline with those guys. [McPharlin moving back] will only strengthen us as a group.

“We’ve got Adam McPhee to come in as well and the young blokes pushing through.”

Fremantle’s new draftees are all set to play in Saturday night’s intra-club match at Subiaco Oval in a hit-out that should also hint at Harvey’s plans for the backline.  

Grover said he was looking forward to seeing the club’s first two selections, Anthony Morabito and Nat Fyfe, in action, while he had been particularly impressed with defender Dylan Roberton’s work during the pre-season.

The 29-year-old, who is nearing the end of his 12th AFL pre-season, said he had completed the majority of Fremantle’s summer program and was confident heading into the new season.  

“Personally, I want to raise the bar with my performance,” he said. “A lot of the guys are probably not happy with the way we’ve performed overall and that’s what happens when you have six wins.

“The guys are training at a really high intensity and that’s been the aim over the pre-season.”