Young midfielder Josh Deluca says he will be happy to have a familiar face in Freo’s engine room when he makes his debut against Geelong at Simonds Stadium on Sunday.
Deluca shares a house with ruckman Sean Darcy, who will also make his debut against the Cats.
The pair make it a total of six Freo players who have made their debut in 2017, with five of these lining up against Geelong in Deluca, Darcy, Griffin Logue, Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan.
The average age of Fremantle’s starting 22 has dropped from 26.46 in round two - the third oldest in the AFL at that time - to 24.19 for this week’s clash.
After missing the start of the WAFL season with a groin injury, Deluca has shone in his return for Peel – kicking five goals and averaging 23 disposals during three games.
In his most recent appearance, Deluca racked up five clearances, nine tackles and kicked two goals in Peel’s six-point win over South Fremantle.
Deluca said he was looking forward to playing alongside Darcy, with the pair combining well on and off the field.
“It’s pretty coincidental that we debut at the same time,” Deluca said.
“He’s a great housemate and I’m really looking forward to seeing him out there and seeing how he goes. I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Hopefully, he’ll put it down my throat, like he has been in the WAFL.
“You could say there’s a bit of chemistry developing. He’s a good ruckman.”
Housemates Sean Darcy and Josh Deluca pose for a photo before driving to the airport to board their flight east
Deluca has endured a long wait to make his debut, drafted with pick no.68 in the 2014 national draft – the same draft class as Lachie Weller, Connor Blakely and Ed Langdon.
The Subiaco product has twice been delisted from Fremantle and subsequently re-drafted in the rookie draft.
“Some would say I’ve taken the long road but I’m really grateful for my opportunity and the way I’ve been able to develop here at the club,” Deluca said.
“I really appreciate that and I can’t wait to get out there and pull on the jumper this weekend.”
Deluca said it was important to work hard and not lose sight of his AFL dream.
“It’s been two years in a row that I’ve been delisted and re-rookied,” Deluca said.
“It’s obviously very disappointing when it happens but I just put my best foot forward. When I was given the opportunity to come back and do a pre-season here at the club I just really knuckled down and I had my best pre-season so far.
“Unfortunately, I got injured at the end of pre-season, I missed most of this season and now I’ve come back through the WAFL and I’m grateful for my opportunity now.”
