FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon says banished forward Michael Walters "picked himself" for Saturday's clash against Melbourne through his recent form and determination to salvage his AFL career.
Lyon confirmed on Thursday that Walters, who was exiled from the club in January for failing to meet fitness benchmarks, would play his first game for the season against the Demons at Etihad Stadium.
The skilful forward was sent to train with WAFL club Swan Districts at the start of the year, but he has since earned back the respect of his teammates and coaches by losing significant weight and producing consistent form.
Midfielder Nick Lower will make way after suffering consecutive concussions, while Lachie Neale and Lee Spurr were part of a 23-man travelling squad. Defender Garrick Ibbotson will fly to Melbourne later.
Lyon said it was great to see Walters grab his opportunity, but the 21-year-old had plenty of work to do now to build on his 11 AFL games.
"Sometimes you have to go to the bottom of the well and experience the bottom to bounce back up and really get a deeper understanding of what you want out of your life and your youth, because that book gets closed pretty quickly," Lyon said.
"He's decided to grab his opportunity. But the aim is, regardless of what he's done now, it's about the next moment, next training session, next game.
"What he's done for six months, Matthew Pavlich has stacked for 10 or 12 years. So keep stacking the hard work on each other and build a career. It's no different to what we all do.
"He did the work and got himself a ticket to the game, and now he's got to get into the game and do some work … he'll continue to write his own story."
Walters has averaged more than 14 disposals and kicked 27 goals in 14 WAFL games this season and Lyon said he could no longer be ignored after being named as an emergency for two weeks.
"At the end of the day I say players pick the team themselves, and he's clearly picked himself, not us," the coach said.
"He's a forward-line player who's been doing a bit of wing in the WAFL. He's beautifully skilled, a good decision maker. He brings a bit of brilliance to the team in the front half, which is what we're after.
"As a combination with Hayden Ballantyne, it's quite exciting."
Fremantle can continue its late rally for a finals spot against the 16th-placed Demons, with matches against Greater Western Sydney (17th) and Port Adelaide (15th) to follow.
Lyon said playing in Melbourne, where Fremantle has won two out of three games this season, should not be seen as a hurdle.
"We want to be an anywhere, anytime team," he said.
"In front of 40,000 screaming Dockers fans we want to get up and whether we're playing down at Victor Harbor or Etihad Stadium in front of smaller crowds it shouldn't dictate how we go about it.
"Last time we were at Etihad it was a full house for the Saints game and we're pretty keen to fly in get the points and come home, but it's a big challenge."
Nathan Schmook covers Fremantle news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan
