Fremantle will be without skipper Nat Fyfe and ruckman Sean Darcy for Sunday’s season-opener, naming a 26-man squad to take on Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
Executive General Manager of Football Peter Bell said he was confident the injured pair would be available for Freo’s first home game of the season against St Kilda in round two.
“Unfortunately, Nat hasn’t come up for round one, he has had a compressed pre-season while recovering from the shoulder surgery and we just weren’t able to get the volume of work that we needed into him,” Bell said.
“A couple of old war wounds have flared as well, including a bit of a sore back.
“We’re really hopeful that he will be able to get the required volumes over the next week so that he’s available for round two.
“Sean Darcy has got some awareness in his calf. He has been carrying it for a few training sessions, and we aren’t prepared to risk him for the game in round one.
“Like Nat, we are very confident that Sean will be available for round two.”
Fremantle key forward Matt Taberner will also miss the clash with a hamstring injury.
It will be Fremantle supporters first chance to see new recruits Jordan Clark and Will Brodie play in purple in an official AFL match, while the absence of Darcy brings Lloyd Meek into the lead ruck role.
It also shapes as a potential first opportunity for fans to see Josh Treacy, Brandon Walker and Neil Erasmus in action for the first time this year – with the trio named on the extended interchange after not being selected for either of the two pre-season matches against West Coast.
Bouncedown for the clash is at 1.10pm WST, with the game to be broadcast live into Perth on the Seven Network and nationally on Fox Footy.
You can also watch the game live on Kayo or through the official AFL app.
TAB TOUCH SQUAD v CROWS
B: Luke Ryan, Alex Pearce, Heath Chapman
HB: Hayden Young, Brennan Cox, Jordan Clark
C: Andy Brayshaw, Will Brodie, Michael Walters
HF: David Mundy, Blake Acres, Lachie Schultz
F: Michael Frederick, Rory Lobb, Liam Henry
R/Fol: Lloyd Meek, Caleb Serong, Sam Switkowski
I: Josh Treacy, Bailey Banfield, Mitch Crowden, Darcy Tucker, Griffin Logue, Neil Erasmus, Brandon Walker, Travis Colyer
