The 21-year-old South Australian was one of three inclusions to Fremantle’s team, with champion defender Luke McPharlin and utility Garrick Ibbotson the other additions.
Tall backman Tanner Smith comes out with a minor hamstring injury, while Nick Suban and Cameron Sutcliffe were omitted.
The emergencies are Hayden Crozier, Alex Silvagni and Suban.
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Freo general manager of football Chris Bond said the club was pleased with what Hannath had done since he was picked up in the Pre-season Draft last year.
“He’s trained really well and he’s had really good form down at Peel,” Bond said.
“We think he’s had great ruck form in the WAFL throughout the course of this year and we’ve got no doubt that he’ll be very competitive and he‘ll show his hand really well on Friday.”
Ibbotson will play his first AFL game of the season after beginning the year with East Fremantle in the WAFL.
Bond said Ibbotson was in Fremantle’s best side when he was playing his best football.
“He needed to go back (to the WAFL) and he also had an injury,” he said.
“Once he got through that, we thought his fitness was right to play.”
The addition of All Australian defender McPharlin and Hannath gives Freo a taller look than in round 4.
Bond said Friday night’s structure in terms of height is closer to what Freo prefers.
“We’ve got back to what we do really well with the balance of our team,” he said.
“Certainly, a couple of talls really helps us, but Luke McPharlin coming back in is a real positive for us as well.
“He’s one of the premier backmen in the competition.”
The football GM said Smith, who made his AFL debut against Hawthorn last week, had sustained a minor hamstring injury.
“It’s not severe and we’re expecting him to come back in the short-term,” he said.
SEE BOTH THE FREMANTLE AND RICHMOND LINE-UPS HERE
