Fremantle have confirmed the Club’s final team of 23 to face Hawthorn on Saturday night with Sam Switkowski and Oscar McDonald returning for the Optus Stadium clash.

Captain Alex Pearce is sidelined after pulling up sore during Thursday’s main training session, while midfielder Neil Erasmus has been omitted.

Fremantle Executive General Manager of Football Joe Brierty provided an update on the key defender.

“Pearce pulled up sore during training today after returning from a stress injury against Sydney on Sunday,” Brierty said.

“The Club will monitor his soreness over the coming days and provide an update next week.”

Pressure forward Switkowski last played in the Club’s win over North Melbourne in Round 14, when he injured his hamstring.

The 28-year-old has been named on the bench alongside Bailey Banfield, Sean Darcy,  Isaiah Dudley and Jaeger O’Meara.

McDonald has been named on-field in the back pocket alongside Luke Ryan and Brennan Cox.

Midfielder O’Meara will play his 50th game for Fremantle against one of his former teams.

Returning as the substitute last start, after overcoming foot and hamstring injuries, O’Meara finished with eight disposals, four marks and a goal in his return after joining the action towards the end of the third quarter.

Ryan will feature in his 100th consecutive game for the Club, becoming just the third Fremantle player to achieve the feat after former champions Matthew Pavlich and David Mundy.

Ryan’s streak began in Round 10 of the 2021 season.

Midfielder Andrew Brayshaw will captain the side in Pearce’s absence and will line up in the midfield with Caleb Serong and Luke Jackson, who has been named as the starting ruck.

As announced by the Club on Wednesday, Fremantle will formally farewell Club legend Michael ‘Sonny’ Walters during the game.

To celebrate Sonny’s career, fans will be able to pay tribute to the forward at halftime, as he completes a lap of honour to acknowledge his outstanding contribution to the Club.

Fans are encouraged to remain in their seats at halftime and, if able, stand and applaud the 239-game legend.

Fremantle have won six of the Club’s last seven meetings with the Hawks, including the last four straight at Optus Stadium.

James Aish, Neil Erasmus and Josh Draper have been named as emergencies.

Bounce down on Saturday is at 6.10 pm WST and will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and Fox Sports 3, and streamed live on Kayo and 7plus from 6.00 pm WST. Channel 7 Perth’s coverage begins at 5.30pm WST.

The tactical substitute will be confirmed one hour before bouncedown on Saturday.