Fremantle has made two changes ahead of their vital clash with the GWS Giants at Engie Stadium on Saturday, headlined by the debut of ruckman Liam Reidy and the return of Nathan O’Driscoll.
Matthew Taberner and Karl Worner have both been omitted for the clash.
O’Driscoll will play his first AFL game for the Club since Round 18 last year, marking a 399-day gap between AFL appearances.
The young winger has played eight games for Peel this season and has averaged 24.6 disposals, 2.3 marks and three tackles in his last three matches.
The 22-year-old battled a knee injury during the early stages of the season, which he has since overcome to make his return to the WAFL.
O’Driscoll has played 22 games for Fremantle in his short career, with the 22-year-old averaging 14.2 disposals, 3.8 marks, and kicking 11 goals during this time.
He will join Corey Wagner, Nat Fyfe, Sam Sturt and Matthew Johnson on the team’s five-man extended bench, which features the substitute who will be named one hour before the bounce on Saturday.
Reidy, who was announced by the Club earlier today to be making his AFL debut, has been named in the ruck.
Reidy was selected by Fremantle with pick 13 in the 2022 Rookie Draft and has since featured 31 times for Peel Thunder’s league side.
The 204 cm big man’s WAFL form has been undeniable, averaging 44.38 hit-outs, 11 disposals, and four tackles per game in his 13 appearances in 2024.
Fremantle has won three out of their last four meetings with the Giants, and a win on Saturday would close the gap between the two teams to just two points on the AFL ladder.
Caleb Serong will lead the side as captain in the absence of Alex Pearce.
Worner, Neil Erasmus and Michael Walters have been named as the emergencies for the weekend.
The bounce for the clash is at 11:45 AM WST and will be broadcast live on 7mate and Fox Footy, and streamed live on Kayo.
