Fremantle has locked in Stefan Giro and Scott Jones to debut against Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday while Michael Apeness will make his long-awaited return to AFL football.
Senior coach Ross Lyon confirmed Fremantle will make six changes for the clash, with Tommy Sheridan, Taylin Duman and Shane Kersten returning to the line-up.
Stephen Hill (quad), Aaron Sandilands (concussion), Brandon Matera, Hayden Ballantyne, Michael Johnson and Danyle Pearce are Fremantle’s outs.
Lyon confirmed Apeness and Jones will share the ruck duties up against Collingwood star Brodie Grundy.
The game will be Apeness’ first Fremantle game in 645 days following multiple knee injuries. The versatile forward/ruckman has worked his way back into the team via the WAFL, where he has played six games for Peel in 2018.
“Grundy’s probably the best ruck in the competition at the minute,” Lyon said.
“Michael’s has basically been unavailable for five years in a sense with intermittent injuries and this year he’s just got back, so he’ll need some assistance. We thought we would go with two rucks rather than one.
“We’ve got Brennan Cox as well so we think that balances us up quite nicely.
“Hopefully, (Apeness and Jones) share the ruck load 50/50. Jones is a big boy that competes and he’s got some speed on him for his size.
“Both of them really launch hard at the football so hopefully, there’s a few Collingwood defenders feeling their wrath.”
Lyon hopes that Giro’s tenacity will help Fremantle match Collingwood on the day.
“He’s an enormous runner, he’s really powerful and quick,” Lyon said.
“He competes and that’s the starting point in AFL footy as it’s a combative game.
“We expect Collingwood to go to the end so we’re setting ourselves to go to the end.”
Lyon believes sending Ballantyne back to the WAFL will release the "pressure valve" on the Fremantle veteran.
"He's working really hard. His output's high, as in running output, and effort is strong," Lyon said.
"But in fairness, our football, I think our first six weeks was very strong and (we had) a fair bit of ball and entry, even against the Eagles we went right to the end.
"Then supply has been really quite difficult, and a young forward line around him and not that tall.
"In some respects, this releases the pressure valve for him.
"As much as he'd love to be playing, sometimes there's a relief when it's not quite going your way.
"They're only human, they would hear external criticism."
Experienced campaigners Michael Johnson and Danyle Pearce have also made way for youth, while recruit Brandon Matera has been omitted for the first time.
"When you get challenged, it's how you respond, and we're confident that those guys, particularly experienced guys, have had great character and you're a product of your habits," Lyon said.
"They'll be fine and we'll work with them. They want the team to win, they won't be wearing out their shoes trying to stop the team."
