Fremantle have made three changes to their line-up for Saturday night’s Starlight Purple Haze Game, proudly presented by South32, against Hawthorn at Optus Stadium.
Michael Frederick, Neil Erasmus and Josh Treacy have come into the starting 22, to replace the suspended Matthew Johnson and omitted pair Will Brodie and Sam Sturt.
Nat Fyfe has been confirmed as the tactical substitute for the Hawthorn clash.
OPPOSITION: See how Hawthorn will line-up
It’s the first time Erasmus has featured in the starting side for 2023, after playing the final quarter of Freo’s clash with Brisbane last weekend as the sub.
Frederick returns after bouncing back quickly from an adductor injury, which saw him miss the round seven match against the Lions - while Treacy will line up for his second AFL game of 2023 after playing four games with Peel.
Saturday night will also mark Fyfe’s return into the squad of 23 for the first time since Fremantle’s round one fixture against St Kilda, after missing the majority of the season so far with a plantar fascia injury.
Brodie and Sturt join Karl Worner as the emergencies for the clash.
Saturday night’s game under lights will mark the 21st anniversary of the Club’s Starlight Purple Haze Game, to once again raise funds for the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Since Fremantle’s first ever annual Starlight Purple Haze Game in 2003, the match has become a marquee event in the calendar looked forward to by the Club, players and fans alike.
Fremantle have launched their Fans Pledge in collaboration with the Starlight Children’s Foundation so fans can also get involved and support the cause.
Fans can pledge any dollar amount for each goal Fremantle kick during the game with all funds raised going towards brightening the lives of seriously ill children.
To celebrate the 21-year milestone, Fremantle will wear a special edition jumper paying tribute to the tireless work of the Starlight Captains.
Bouncedown for Saturday’s clash is at 5.30pm WST and will be broadcast live nationally on Channel 7, Fox Footy and via stream on Kayo.
FREMANTLE TEAM v HAWTHORN
IN: Michael Frederick, Neil Erasmus, Josh Treacy
OUT: Matthew Johnson, Will Brodie, Sam Sturt
B: Brennan Cox, Alex Pearce, Hayden Young
HB: Brandon Walker, Luke Ryan, Jordan Clark
C: James Aish, Caleb Serong, Michael Frederick
HF: Michael Walters, Luke Jackson, Bailey Banfield
F: Sam Switkowski, Jye Amiss, Lachie Schultz
R/Fol: Sean Darcy, Andrew Brayshaw, Jaeger O’Meara
I: Nathan O’Driscoll, Josh Treacy, Neil Erasmus, Ethan Hughes
S: Nat Fyfe
E: Will Brodie, Karl Worner, Sam Sturt
