Warnock, 20, comes into the side after an impressive start to the season as first string ruckman with the Falcons in the WAFL.
Senior Coach Chris Connolly said the big man was rated highly around the club and had shown he would be solid support to Aaron Sandilands in the ruck.
“We have been really encouraged with Robbie Warnock’s performances, particularly at training against Aaron, and the way he has gone about playing within our practice matches,” Connolly said on Thursday.
“We think he is ready to go. He is certainly a fierce competitor and the guys are looking forward to playing with him.”
Standing at 207cm, Warnock is a mere four centremetres shorter than Sandilands. He has used his height well so far this season, tallying 74 hit outs from four matches with West Perth.
“He has the same arm reach as Aaron,” Connolly said.
“He’s not as tall as Aaron (but) he’s still growing, but when he puts his arms up his arm span is the same as Aaron’s.”
Adding to his impressive stats in the rucking department so far this season is his agility around the ground, picking up 60 possessions, 12 marks and two goals to compliment his ruck work for the Falcons.
“He’s got tremendous running ability and he is quite skilled,” Connolly said.
“We rate him very, very highly as a young man and as a player here at the club.
“This is the first game but we expect him to play many games into the future.”
Warnock’s expertise will prove vital on Sunday when he and Sandilands go head to head with Brisbane’s impressive ruck department of Jamie Charman and Beau McDonald. The Lions duo have proved to be one of the most dangerous ruck combinations in the competition considering Brisbane lead the league in scoring from centre bounces.
With Sandilands being used predominantly as the only specialist ruckman so far this season, Connolly said Warnock would provide Sandilands with reliable support when changed into the ruck.
“If we’ve got that type of player coming into the ruck with that type of size, Aaron can really go for it when he has his opportunities,” Connolly said.
“It may be a 60-40 or 70-30 type thing but never the less it allows Aaron to really go for it when he’s in the ruck. We certainly need a strong contest around the clearances (considering) their ruckmen and quality at ground level.”
Connolly believed the sixth placed Lions shaped as a tough opponent, considering their 3-2 season record and the fact the match was being played at the Gabba, a ground Fremantle is yet to win at.
“They are in good form and playing with a lot of confidence,” Connolly said.
“They have some of the great players in the competition.
“We haven’t won up there before so it is a great challenge for the team. Everyone is excited about the opportunity.”
One of Fremantle’s challenges will be containing spearhead Jonathon Brown. The burly Brisbane forward has taken 35 marks and booted 13 goals so far this season, including a five goal haul against St Kilda in round two.
Connolly identified Brown’s ball supply from the midfield and half back line as one of the areas Fremantle will have to address on Sunday if they are to restrict his influence and finishing in front of goal.
“He’s arguably the best player in the AFL,” Connolly said of Brown.
“He is one of the absolute great players in the competition and is complimented by Simon Black (and) Luke Power.
“The player on him is going to have an enormous challenge.
“But, again, we need players in defence that can play on the very best forwards. Luke McPharlin has gone from strength to strength so I dare say he will have a big challenge on his hands and he will get first look (at Brown).”
Despite the key role Brown plays in Brisbane’s forward line, Connolly said there was more to Brisbane’s offence and other attacking targets Fremantle had to consider.
“The trap also is not to underestimate the (Ashley) McGraths, (Chris) Johnsons and young (Joel) Patfull and guys who also hit the scoreboard down there,” Connolly said.
Sunday’s match will be telecast live into Western Australia from 11.00am on Channel Seven and FOX Sports 1.
Fremantle Team – Round 6 v Brisbane
B: Parker, Grover, Dodd
HB: Black, McPharlin, Hayden
C: Johnson, Bell, Mundy
HF: Headland, Pavlich, Hasleby
F: Warnock, Tarrant, Solomon
Foll: Sandilands, Crowley, J. Carr
I/C (from): M. Carr, Campbell, Cook, Gilmore, McManus, Webster, Walker
In: Parker, Warnock, Campbell
Debut: Robert Warnock – 2005 NAB AFL Draft third round selection (42 overall); from Sandringham Dragons U18’s
