Eight of Fremantle’s 14 2008 NAB AFL Draft and Rookie Draft selections are in contention to pull on the club jumper for the first time this Sunday against Richmond in their NAB Cup clash at Subiaco Oval.

NAB AFL Draftees Stephen Hill, Chris Hall and Tim Ruffles have been named in a preliminary squad of 29 along with NAB AFL Rookie Draftees Matt DeBoer, Hamish Shepheard, Clancee Pearce, Jay Van Berlo and Greg Broughton.

Paul Hasleby has also been named to play his first match for the club since seriously injuring his left knee against West Coast in Fremantle’s 2008 NAB Cup opener on 17 February last year.

The squad will be reduced to a team of 26 prior to the scheduled bouncedown time of 6.40pm Sunday.

As announced yesterday, David Mundy has been appointed acting captain for Sunday’s clash with the Tigers.

Mundy, who last season was one of three Fremantle players to play in all 22 home and away games, will deputise for Matthew Pavlich, who is being rested this weekend.

Senior coach Mark Harvey said that three other players – Paul Hasleby, Roger Hayden and Michael Johnson - would also be given the opportunity to captain the side during the NAB Cup, including games that Pavlich plays.

“It is about evolving the group and giving the players the opportunity to benefit from the experience of leading the side,” Harvey said.

“Also, given the number of young players we have this year it is important that we develop leadership qualities across the playing group.”

Mundy said it was a privilege to be given the responsibility to captain the team on Sunday.

“Obviously it’s an honour to captain the side but it is also a great opportunity to experience the demands and responsibility of the job,” he said.

Fremantle will show its support to the people and communities of Victoria that have been tragically affected by the devastating Victorian Bushfires during this weekend’s round of NAB Cup fixtures.

The AFL is coordinating a number of activities to assist with the fundraising efforts for the communities, families, emergency service workers and volunteers impacted by the bushfires. Fremantle will stand shoulder to shoulder with the other 15 AFL clubs this weekend to show its commitment to raising funds for those affected.

Following the AFL’s decision to relocate the NAB Cup Bushfire Appeal Game between the Western Bulldogs and Essendon to Telstra Dome on Friday night, all proceeds from the game will now be donated to the bushfire appeal established by the Victorian Government. 

Des Headland will fly to Melbourne to be part of the pre-match ceremony for the NAB Cup Bushfire Appeal Game to acknowledge Fremantle’s sympathy for those impacted by this tragedy. Final details regarding the pre-match activities will be announced later in the week by the AFL.

The game will start at 8.40 pm EST and will be telecast live by the Seven Network into Victoria and on Fox Sports throughout the rest of Australia. 

Although on the other side of the country to the disastrous events in Victoria, Fremantle will show that the club’s thoughts are well and truly with those affected by the bushfires. Fremantle’s players and coaches will wear black arm bands and will invite the crowd to join them in observing a minute’s silence prior to the club’s NAB Cup game against Richmond on Sunday at Subiaco Oval. Following the minute’s silence, the National Anthem will be played.

“The Fremantle Football Club sincerely encourages all members and supporters of not just our club but those across the AFL to make a donation to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund by ringing 1800 811 700 or by visiting redcross.org.au,” Fremantle chief executive officer Steve Rosich said.

Fremantle Squad v Richmond
Sunday 15 February 2009
Subiaco Oval
Bouncedown 6.40pm

Preliminary Squad of 29 players is listed below;

Byron Schammer    3, Paul Hasleby    4, Garrick Ibbotson    5, Dean Solomon    6,  Brett Peake    7, Rhys Palmer    10, Brock O’Brien    12, Luke Pratt    13, Antoni Grover    14, Ryan Crowley    15, David Mundy    16, Luke McPharlin    18, Steven Dodd    25, Kepler Bradley    26, Ryan Murphy    28, Aaron Sandilands    31, Stephen Hill    32, Chris Hall    34, Tim Ruffles    35, Andrew Browne    36, Michael Johnson    37, Matt DeBoer    40, Josh Head    42, Roger Hayden    43, Brent Connelly    44, Hamish Shepheard    45, Clancee Pearce    46, Jay Van Berlo    47, Greg Broughton    48