Fremantle have made two changes for Sunday’s retro round clash with Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium.
Emerging forward and debutant Tom Emmett replaces the injured Michael Walters (calf) while Bailey Banfield returns to the line-up for the omitted Josh Corbett.
Emmett is Fremantle’s fourth debutant for 2023 following in the footsteps of Matthew Johnson, Karl Worner and Ethan Stanley this year.
The 21-year-old arrived at Fremantle as a mature-aged draftee in the 2022 NAB AFL Draft, selected at no.41 from Sturt in the SANFL.
Banfield will make his 14th AFL appearance for the season, returning to the starting 22 after starring with a four-goal performance in Peel’s win over Claremont last weekend.
Corbett joins last week’s medical sub Neil Erasmus, Travis Colyer and Nathan Wilson as the emergencies for the clash.
One of the four will be confirmed as the substitute an hour before bouncedown.
Emmett has booted 13 goals over 13 games for Peel so far this season with his tackling and forward half pressure a key strength in his game – including two 10-tackle performances against West Coast this year.
“Peel is unbelievable and the culture down there, they have got it right,” Emmett said.
“It’s amazing and I’m really looking forward to going back after the season and playing some finals down there.
“It’s been awesome so far at Peel this year.”
For retro round, Fremantle will wear the tri-panel anchor away strip worn from the 2001 to 2005 seasons.
Bouncedown for the clash is at 2.40pm and will be broadcast live into WA on Channel 7, Fox Footy and can be streamed on Kayo.
From battling cancer at 16, to suffering a serious achilles injury at 18, to making his debut at 21 years of age.
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) August 18, 2023
Tom Emmett looks back 💜#foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/CzlCxKxiGC
TEAM v PORT ADELAIDE
IN: Tom Emmett, Bailey Banfield
OUT: Michael Walters (injured), Josh Corbett (omitted)
B: Brennan Cox, Alex Pearce, Corey Wagner
HB: Jordan Clark, Luke Ryan, Hayden Young
C: Liam Henry, Matthew Johnson, James Aish
HF: Sam Switkowski, Josh Treacy, Lachie Schultz
F: Michael Frederick, Jye Amiss, Sam Sturt
R/Fol: Luke Jackson, Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw
I: Tom Emmett, Karl Worner, Jaeger O’Meara, Bailey Banfield
E: Neil Erasmus, Travis Colyer, Josh Corbett, Nathan Wilson
