Jye Amiss has been named at full forward in Fremantle’s extended squad for their clash with Richmond at the MCG on Sunday.
Young key defender Joshua Draper, who was subbed out of the round seven game against the Bulldogs with a tight hamstring, has also been named on-field in the backline.
Big selection decisions loom for Justin Longmuir ahead of the final team deadline on Friday afternoon.
Amiss was the Club’s leading goalkicker in 2023, booting 41 goals in just his second year of senior football.
The 20-year-old had started the season strongly before being subbed out of the RAC Derby early with concussion in round six, consequently missing the Club’s round seven win over the Bulldogs where his replacement, key forward Pat Voss, made an impressive debut.
“It’s going to be a bit of a squeeze in the forward half,” Longmuir said during his Thursday morning press conference.
“Jye is obviously a key part of our team.
“It was great that Vossy got the opportunity last week and if he plays again that’s great.”
Longmuir said he could not confirm whether Amiss would make the team’s final 23, as it would depend on how the key forward felt tomorrow morning regarding his concussion protocols.
“He’s got to pull up well (Friday), that’s part of the concussion protocols and it’s the last box he needs to tick,” Longmuir said.
“We will have to wait until tomorrow morning.”
Longmuir made a similar note on young draftee Cooper Simpson.
“We want to keep giving him (Simpson) opportunities and we think he’s got AFL qualities with his finish,” Longmuir said.
“Freddy (Michael Frederick) came back in last week and did a good job. Tommy (Emmett) and Banners (Bailey Banfield) are playing good footy as well.
“It’s a good problem to have. We will see how it unfolds in selection.”
Sam Switkoswki will miss his third game following his delayed concussion after the Club’s round five loss to Port Adelaide.
The Club is taking a no-risk approach with the pressure forward with the hope he will be available for Fremantle's round nine clash with the Swans at Optus Stadium.
The Club’s extended bench of Emmett, Simpson, Voss, Matthew Johnson, Bailey Banfield, Brandon Walker, Ethan Hughes and Neil Erasmus will be trimmed to five players at final team selection.
Fremantle’s final team will be named at 3pm WST on Friday afternoon at fremantlefc.com.au
SQUAD v RICHMOND
B: James Aish, Alex Pearce, Joshua Draper
HB: Heath Chapman, Luke Ryan, Jordan Clark
C: Jaeger O’Meara, Andrew Brayshaw, Hayden Young
HF: Jeremy Sharp, Josh Treacy, Michael Frederick
F: Michael Walters, Jye Amiss, Luke Jackson
R/Fol: Sean Darcy, Caleb Serong, Nat Fyfe
Extended interchange: Tom Emmett, Matthew Johnson, Bailey Banfield, Brandon Walker, Cooper Simpson, Ethan Hughes, Neil Erasmus, Pat Voss
