Fremantle midfielder Blake Acres can feel the excitement building as he and his teammates prepare to board a flight to Melbourne on Thursday afternoon.

It marks 364 days since Fremantle’s AFL squad last travelled to Victoria for Freo’s round one fixture last year against Essendon at Marvel Stadium, before the competition was temporarily halted. 

For Acres, it’s a return to a ground where he has played plenty of football in previous years.

“I’m excited…I’m keen to get over to Melbourne and play at the ‘G…it’s a good opportunity for us,” Acres said.

“For me, I didn’t play there at all last year so I’m keen to get over to Melbourne to where I played all my footy for the last six or seven years.”

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After a shorter pre-season period than usual, Acres believed his teammates were ready to test themselves in a highly anticipated round one clash with Melbourne on Saturday.

“You have pre-season, but the real test is round one and round two…you never really know how you’re going until you get out there in the proper games,” Acres said.

“You don’t know how hard teams are going in the pre-season.

“We’ve got a few guys coming in that will play their role.

“It’s great that they get their opportunity.”

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