Fremantle will open its 2015 NAB Challenge campaign against Melbourne at Fremantle Oval on Thursday 5 March.
It will be Freo’s first competitive hitout of the year, following two recent intra-club matches in preparation for the season.
Coach Ross Lyon has tinkered with a tall forward line in the pre-season, with Matthew Pavlich, Matt Taberner and Michael Apeness all looking as possible starters.
Ruckmen Aaron Sandilands, Jack Hannath, Zac Clarke and Jon Griffin have also had spells in the forward line.
Fremantle and Melbourne met just once in season 2014, with Freo dominating from start to finish at Darwin’s TIO Stadium, winning 15.7.97 to 4.10.34 in Apeness’ AFL debut.
WHERE AND WHEN: Fremantle Oval, Thursday 5 March, 4.10pm WST
TV: Live on Fox Footy from 4pm WST
RADIO: Live on 882 6PR from 4pm WST
TICKETING INFORMATION
TALKING POINTS
1. Tall timber: Freo’s tall forward line experiment is expected to continue, combined with dynamite smalls Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters.
2. Young guns: New recruits Lachie Weller and Connor Blakely have been lively all pre-season and expect them both to get a run in the NAB Challenge.
3. Like a fine wine: Veterans Matthew Pavlich and Luke McPharlin have both had impressive pre-seasons. McPharlin even managed to set a personal best in his 3km time trial.
FREMANTLE
1. Hayden Ballantyne, 8. Nick Suban, 9. Matt De Boer, 10. Michael Walters, 11. Tom Sheridan, 12. Jon Griffin, 13. Tendai Mzungu, 16. David Mundy, 17. Hayden Crozier, 18. Luke Mcpharlin, 19. Connor Blakely, 20. Matt Taberner, 21. Michael Barlow, 22. Tanner Smith, 23. Chris Mayne, 24. Max Duffy, 27. Lachie Neale, 28. Brady Grey, 29. Matthew Pavlich, 30. Zac Clarke, 32. Stephen Hill, 33. Cam Sutcliffe, 34. Lee Spurr, 35. Michael Apeness, 36. Alex Silvagni, 37. Michael Johnson, 38. Jack Hannath, 41. Paul Duffield, 46. Clancee Pearce
MELBOURNE
1. Jesse Hogan, 2. Nathan Jones, 3. Christian Salem, 5. Jimmy Toumpas, 6. Chris Dawes, 7. Jack Viney, 8. Heritier Lumumba, 11. Max Gawn, 12. Dom Tyson, 13. Jordie Mckenzie, 14. Lynden Dunn, 15. Billy Stretch, 16. Dean Kent, 17. Sam Frost, 18. Daniel Cross, 19. Ben Newton, 20. Colin Garland, 21. Cameron Pedersen, 22. Viv Michie, 24. Jay Kennedy-Harris, 25. Tom McDonald, 31. Jack Grimes, 36. Jeff Garlett 37. Aaron vandenBerg, 39. Neville Jetta, 40. Mark Jamar, 42. Jake Spencer, 44. Rohan Bail, 45. Matt Jones
