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Fremantle have made two changes to the side for Saturday’s round nine clash with Melbourne at Casey Fields in Victoria.

Amy Mulholland returns to the team after missing last weekend’s win over St Kilda with a shoulder injury while Sarah Wielstra has been recalled as a tall target in attack.

The pair replace in-form forward Aine Tighe who will miss with knee soreness, while Makaela Tuhakaraina has been omitted.

Tighe is Fremantle’s leading goalkicker in season 2023 with nine goals from eight games.

01:05

All the Goals | Round 8 v St Kilda

Watch all the goals from our 24 point win over St Kilda

Tuhakaraina has been named as an emergency for the Demons clash along with Ariana Hetherington and Emmelie Fiedler.

Sitting 13th with four wins, Fremantle’s finals hopes are alive with two rounds to play.

Senior coach Lisa Webb says her side is ready for one of the season’s toughest tests and confidence is on the rise after a stirring win over the Saints.

“It is exciting,” said Webb before the team departed for Melbourne.

“We’ve got a big challenge ahead, but it’s one we’re looking forward to.

“We know as individuals in the team we need to bring our best and collectively we need to put it together as a team on the weekend.”

03:56

Connection the key to Dees test | Webb

Lisa Webb spoke about the enjoyment the team get when travelling interstate and sees this week’s match against Melbourne as an exciting opportunity to test their brand of footy against the best.

Happy with the side’s composure and execution in the 24-point win over St Kilda, Webb is confident hopes of a top eight finish won’t distract Fremantle when they take on the top of the table Dees.

“We’ve been building and we’ve had our ups and downs and I feel like our best footy isn’t far away,” said Webb.

“For us it’s about getting it right against Melbourne and then playing Sydney (at Fremantle Oval) in round 10.

“Melbourne are a really challenging team. They have an even spread across all lines. I think they’re the team to beat this year, but it’s an exciting opportunity for us against a premiership contender.”

Bounce down for the clash is at 1.05pm EDT (10.05am WST) and will be broadcast into WA on Channel 7two and Fox Footy and can be streamed on Kayo, 7plus and the AFL and AFLW official apps.

TEAM v MELBOURNE
IN: Sarah Wielstra, Amy Mulholland
OUT: Aine Tighe (knee), Makaeala Tuhakaraina

B: Philipa Seth, Emma O’Driscoll
HB: Roxanne Roux, Serena Gibbs, Madeleine Scanlon
C: Jessica Low, Gabby O'Sullivan, Orlagh Lally
HF: Hayley Miller, Laura Pugh, Megan Kauffman
F: Sarah Wielstra, Kiara Bowers
R/Fol: Mim Strom, Dana East, Ange Stannett
I: Jae Flynn, Mikayla Hyde, Amy Mulholland, Tahleah Mulder, Airlie Runnalls
E: Makaela Tuhakaraina, Ariana Hetherington, Emmelie Fiedler