Fremantle could have several inclusions for Sunday’s clash with St Kilda on Sunday at Domain Stadium.
Six players who did not feature in round 14 are listed as a ‘test’ on Freo’s HBF injury list.
Additionally, a number of Fremantle listed players performed well for Peel in last week’s 36-point win over East Fremantle at East Fremantle Oval.
Nat Fyfe
To senior coach Ross Lyon, the question around Fyfe was more about where he would play, not if he would play.
Lyon said Fyfe was “looking likely” to return against St Kilda, adding that the captain could see time up front to provide an aerial threat in Freo’s forward line.
Aaron Sandilands
Just like Fyfe, Lyon stated that Sandilands was a likely inclusion. This may mean that round 14 debutant Sean Darcy’s first AFL stint will be a brief one, unless the 202cm ruckman can also find a spot in the forward line in a supporting role to Sandilands.
Ed Langdon
Langdon has featured in just two of Fremantle’s past five games, collecting uncharacteristically low disposal counts of 12 and nine against Carlton and Collingwood. As such, Fremantle will want to take time with Langdon’s return from a knee injury, with the young utility listed as a test for this week.
Brady Grey
Also listed as a test, Grey took part in full training and is looking to make a quick recovery from a minor hamstring injury sustained against Brisbane in round 12.
The utility’s inclusion is not certain even if he is fit. Hayden Ballantyne filled Grey’s role in round 14 with the small forward returning from a hamstring injury in his first game of the 2017 season.
Matt Taberner
After kicking two goals against East Fremantle on the weekend, Taberner may be a chance to come in and bolster Freo’s forward line. Taberner has kicked 19 goals from eight games at WAFL level and five goals from five games at AFL level in 2017.
Ethan Hughes
With 26 disposals and nine marks against the Sharks, Hughes has continued to show his ability in the WAFL. Hughes has missed four games at AFL level this year, including the past two since his omission after Fremantle’s round 11 loss to Collingwood. He has averaged 15.1 disposals and four marks per game over nine AFL appearances this season.
Ryan Nyhuis
If Fremantle continues their current trend of blooding their youngsters at AFL level, 20-year-old Ryan Nyhuis seems the most likely to feature at Freo’s next debutant.
Nyhuis was elevated to the senior list to allow for his selection as a travelling emergency for Freo’s round 12 clash with Brisbane. Last week for Peel, Nyhuis picked up a season-high 19 disposals at half back while keeping his opponent goalless and to 10 possessions.
