Fremantle have switched three players for Saturday’s elimination final with the Western Bulldogs, bringing in three tall forwards for the sold out clash at Optus Stadium.
Rory Lobb and Griffin Logue make their expected returns alongside young gun key forward Jye Amiss, who will play just his second game at AFL level to become the least experienced Freo player to feature in a final.
They come in for the injured Nat Fyfe and omitted Lloyd Meek and Bailey Banfield.
Meek and Banfield have been named as emergencies alongside Darcy Tucker and Ethan Hughes, with one of those players to be confirmed as the medi sub an hour before the 6.10pm bounce down.
Amiss impressed on debut with two goals against North Melbourne in round eight before his season was halted by a serious kidney injury sustained in a marking contest playing for Peel against South Fremantle in May.
He has since played three games as he built his fitness with Peel, kicking 2.0 against South Fremantle, 1.1 against Claremont and 2.2 against West Coast.
In Thursday’s media conference, Senior Coach Justin Longmuir indicated that Amiss had earnt the right to be selected when asked if he would consider Amiss as a ‘left field’ selection.
“We don’t feel any of our selections would be left field,” Longmuir said.
“When we pick the team we pick it on a body of work and we pick players who are in form in certain roles. No selection will be left field.”
Longmuir confirmed that Lobb would return to his role as back up ruckman to Darcy, and was confident in the fitness of both he and Logue after they missed Freo’s round 23 win against GWS.
“It’s handy (they’re returning),” Longmuir said.
“Griff has built on his forward craft and he’s proven he can set up goals and give us a contest.
“Lobby is really important with the contest he gives us, his leading patterns and ability to go into the ruck.
“They’ve only missed one game so we don’t feel like they’ve missed too much footy. They’ll fit seamlessly back into their roles.”
The game will be Mundy’s 375th in the AFL and final game in WA, with Fremantle looking to advance to the semi finals, which would be played at the MCG against the loser of the Geelong v Collingwood qualifying final.
The game will be broadcast from 6pm on Channel 7 and Fox Footy and can be streamed on Kayo.
TEAM v BULLDOGS
IN: Rory Lobb, Griffin Logue, Jye Amiss
OUT: Nat Fyfe, Lloyd Meek, Bailey Banfield
B: James Aish, Brennan Cox, Jordan Clark
HB: Hayden Young, Alex Pearce, Luke Ryan
C: Michael Frederick, Andrew Brayshaw, Blake Acres
HF: Lachie Schultz, Sam Switkowski, Heath Chapman
F: Jye Amiss, Rory Lobb, Michael Walters
R/Fol: Sean Darcy, Will Brodie, Caleb Serong
I: Griffin Logue, David Mundy, Nathan O’Driscoll, Brandon Walker
E: Darcy Tucker, Bailey Banfield, Lloyd Meek, Ethan Hughes
Willo signs new deal!
The factor driving a finals-like intensity at training
JL FEATURE: The making of a modern coach
