Fremantle have added forward Bailey Banfield to the starting line-up for the Club’s first home game of the season against North Melbourne at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
Banfield has been elevated into Fremantle’s best 22 following his inclusion as the tactical substitute in round one against St Kilda last weekend.
The 25-year-old comes into the line-up to replace the omitted Josh Treacy.
Jaeger O’Meara, Liam Henry and Heath Chapman join Banfield on the starting interchange, while there is promising signs for Michael Walters in his return from an achilles injury – named as an emergency for the clash.
The experienced Walters made a successful playing return last weekend, participating in Peel’s practice match hitout against Subiaco.
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Jye Amiss and Matthew Johnson join Walters and Treacy as the emergencies for round two.
One of those four will be confirmed as the tactical sub one hour before bouncedown on Saturday.
Senior Coach Justin Longmuir forecasted in a Thursday morning media conference that there wouldn’t be ‘wholesale changes’ heading into the North clash.
“You won’t see wholesale changes. We are not going to panic and we are going to stay the course,” Longmuir said.
“It’s easy to be reactive and try and change everything, but we are not going to do that.
Opposition: How North will line-up
“I can guarantee our forward line will have better output and we will get some stuff right down there. We will make sure we give them a better chance to succeed – it’s on us as a collective to get it right.
“I will back our boys to get it right pretty quick.”
Longmuir said his players were eager to get back to playing in front of the Fremantle faithful this Saturday, praising members and fans for their energy and passion.
“We are pumped to get back in front of our home crowd and feed off the passion and I hope plenty get there on Saturday night,” Longmuir said.
“Get along and cheer hard and loud, it will help us get our season rolling.”
Bouncedown for the clash is at 4.30pm WST and will be broadcast live into WA on 7Mate and Fox Sports 503, and also streamed on Kayo.
TEAM v NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Brennan Cox, Alex Pearce, Hayden Young
HB: Ethan Hughes, Luke Ryan, Nathan Wilson
C: Jordan Clark, Will Brodie, James Aish
HF: Sam Switkowski, Luke Jackson, Michael Frederick
F: Lachie Schultz, Nat Fyfe, Matt Taberner
R/Fol: Sean Darcy, Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong
I: Bailey Banfield, Liam Henry, Jaeger O’Meara, Heath Chapman
E: Michael Walters, Jye Amiss, Matthew Johnson, Josh Treacy
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