The return of Club captain Alex Pearce headlines the inclusions for Fremantle’s extended squad that will take on Melbourne in the Club’s annual Starlight Purple Haze Game, proudly presented by South32, on Sunday at Optus Stadium.
Pearce fractured his forearm in round 15 against the Suns after landing awkwardly in a marking contest, consequently missing the last three fixtures for the Club.
Pearce has been named at full back alongside Heath Chapman and Brennan Cox.
Pearce replaces Joshua Draper, who has been omitted from the squad.
It will be the first time since round 24 of 2023 that Pearce, Cox and Luke Ryan have been named in defence together.
Sunday's clash will be Ryan's 150th game milestone, earning the experienced defender life membership with the Fremantle Football Club.
Sean Darcy will also make his return to the squad, named in the ruck after missing the Club’s round 18 loss to the Hawks due to concussion.
Sunday’s clash will be Darcy’s 10th game for the season, with the ruckman averaging 28.8 hitouts, 9.1 hitouts to advantage and 4.9 clearances per game.
Brandon Walker and Will Brodie round out the inclusions to the squad, with both players named on the extended bench alongside Sam Sturt, Jaeger O’Meara, Michael Walters, James Aish, Matthew Johnson and Pat Voss.
Fremantle has won two of the last three meetings with the Demons, including a 92-point win in round 12 at Alice Springs earlier in the season.
The Clubs extended eight-man bench will be trimmed to five players tomorrow when final teams are announced.
Fremantle’s final team will be named at 3pm WST on Friday at fremantlefc.com.au
