Fremantle will play an AFL match at Fremantle Oval for the first time since 2011 on Thursday, when the team hosts Melbourne for a NAB Challenge fixture.
 
The last time Freo played a competitive game at their training base was against West Coast four years ago.

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Freo midfielder Michael Barlow was looking forward to playing at the port venue in front of the Purple Army.
 
“I’ve only played the one NAB game our here against Geelong a few years ago,” he said.
 
“It will be good for us we train here obviously year-round and know the dimensions very well.
 
“I think it will be good for the town as well…I think it will be a really festive kind of atmosphere and I really enjoy that aspect.
 
“Personally, I’d rather play in front of 6 or 7000 out here rather than maybe 10,000 at Subiaco because it gives another dimension…and gives a more community feel, so I’m really looking forward to that.
 
“Hopefully we do get a big crowd down here and I presume we will.”
 
Barlow says the playing group is keen for the first real hitout of the year but says the start of the game will take its toll.
 
“The 26 that are going to get the opportunity are pretty excited that the pre-season phase of training is at the end and we can implement some of the stuff we’ve worked over summer to see how far we’ve improved,” he said.

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“The first 10 or 20 minutes are the hardest 10 or 20 minutes of the year, really.
 
“It’s the most gruelling part of the year, your lungs are screaming, your legs are screaming, but once we settle and once we get into it, it’s just another game and another opportunity to improve.”
 
Bounce down against Melbourne is 4.10pm.