Fremantle stars Michael Barlow, Paul Duffield and Danyle Pearce will all line up for Peel Thunder on Saturday afternoon against West Perth.
The AFL has granted the Freo players permission to play after a reduced or interrupted preparation during the NAB Challenge.
Barlow (ankle) and Duffield (ribs) were injured against Melbourne in the first NAB Challenge match, while Pearce only played the one pre-season match against West Coast.
Freo general manager football operations Chris Bond said it was all about getting minutes into the legs before round one of the AFL on Sunday 5 April against Port Adelaide.
Prepare for a Purple Haze
“It’s really important that they get the run under the belt,” Bond said.
“We except them to play a really high brand of football, work really hard and hopefully get an opportunity to be prepared for round one.”
Garrick Ibbotson was originally in the mix to play, but Bond said the club was pleased with his preparation for the AFL season, so he won’t play in the WAFL.
“We’re quite happy with the progress he’s made so far, so he’ll train with the boys this week,” he said.
“If he gets through OK, I’m sure he’ll be ready for round one.”
Peel takes on West Perth at HBF Arena in Joondalup on Saturday 28 March.
Bounce down is 2.15pm.
Freo players lining up for Peel
Tanner Smith
Paul Duffield
Alex Pearce
Brady Grey
Ethan Hughes
Lachie Weller
Danyle Pearce
Connor Blakely
Michael Barlow
Jacob Ballard
Jonathan Griffin
Michael Apeness
Josh Deluca
Max Duffy
Ed Langdon
Craig Moller*
Tom Vandeleur*
*Indicates players to play reserves
