Senior coach Ross Lyon has confirmed that no.5 draft pick Adam Cerra will make his AFL debut against Essendon on Saturday night at Optus Stadium.
Lyon told Channel 7 news on Tuesday night that Cerra would play and hinted at a second debutant, Fremantle's fourth in two weeks.
“We’re certain Adam Cerra will play,” Lyon said.
“I urge all our members and fans to get along. He’s pick no.5 in the draft so you get to see Cerra and (Andrew) Brayshaw, our picks two and five and possibly another debutant.”
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Lyon said Fremantle was “really hopeful” midfielder Stephen Hill would get through Thursday's training session, adding that he will be selected if fit and available.
Defender Joel Hamling, who missed round one, is expected to return to Fremantle’s starting 22, according to Lyon.
“(Hamling) had a back injury, he missed a fair bit of football (training),” Lyon said.
“Some things hadn’t gone his way. He would have played at Peel the week before but he hadn’t been able to because of his back, so he just needed a game under his belt (at Peel) and we’re hopeful he’ll play a role this week.”
Lyon highlighted the likes of Cerra, Tom North, Mitch Crowden and Hugh Dixon as a group of exciting young players coming up through the ranks with Peel Thunder.
“Our young players, we think we’ve got a really exciting young batch,” Lyon said.
“We’re really excited and we need to expose them and bring them through.”
