Fremantle take on Essendon on Sunday at Domain Stadium.
Senior coach Ross Lyon made one change to the round six line-up that faced West Coast last Saturday, with midfielder Harley Balic coming in for the injured Stephen Hill.
Fremantle got through the game injury free, and while there are no forced changes on the cards, there are several in the mix for selection to take on the Bombers.
Cam Sutcliffe
Sutcliffe had his best performance since being omitted after round two, picking up 36 disposals, eight clearances and laying nine tackles against East Perth last Saturday.
Lyon acknowledged in Wednesday’s press conference that the 24-year-old remains one of the strongest players pushing for selection at Peel level.
“Cam was good, he’s been playing midfield, wing and half-back,” Lyon said.
“He’s handled it quite well and we think we’ve got a couple in form below to look at no doubt.”
Matt Taberner
Taberner remains Fremantle’s strongest player pushing for a spot in the forwardline but had a quiet weekend for Peel kicking 1.2 despite taking eight marks.
Lyon has praised the 197cm forward’s effort this season and hinted that Taberner may need more time at the WAFL level.
“He’s been knocking on the door (for selection) quite loudly,” Lyon said.
“I think it’s been a really good period for him.
“He’ll will come out of this as a better and more rounded player with some maturity and appreciation for the things we ask him to do.”
Jon Griffin & Sean Darcy
Since round three Fremantle has opted to go with the one specialist ruckman, with defender Michael Johnson supporting Aaron Sandilands when required.
Lyon said in Wednesday’s media conference that Fremantle is still considering returning to fielding two rucks, hinting that Jon Griffin would be in line to return.
Griffin had 34 hit outs and 16 disposals for Peel on Saturday, while Sean Darcy had 21 hit outs and six disposals.
“Jon’s carried himself really well in the WAFL, not only in attitude but in his strong performances,” Lyon said.
“I spoke to him (on Tuesday) and at some point the match committee is going to have a look at going back to the two ruck model, so it is on our agenda.”
Danyle Pearce
Pearce remains an option for Lyon in the midfield, with the 250-game player named as an emergency in rounds three and four.
Sam Collins
Collins is coming off one of his strongest performances this season, taking four contested and nine uncontested marks alongside his 26 disposals.
Luke Ryan
Mature age draftee Luke Ryan made his return for Peel after three weeks out through injury. The 21-year-old picked up 20 disposals with seven rebound 50s, but might need more time at WAFL level before pushing for his AFL debut.
