Fremantle fans are set to see six new faces run out for Freo in their first Marsh Community Series clash against Carlton on Saturday at David Grays Arena.
Fremantle have named a team of 26 players, which includes an extended bench of eight players, compared to 22 players with a bench of four for AFL home and away season games.
New recruits James Aish and Blake Acres have been named to start on the field against the Blues with Aish at half back and Acres in the centre.
Sam Sturt has also been rewarded for an impressive pre-season by being named at half-forward, with the exciting forward prospect chasing a debut in his second year at Fremantle.
Draftee midfielders Caleb Serong and Michael Frederick have been named on the bench, as has second-year defender Tobe Watson, who is also chasing an AFL debut in 2020.
As expected, Fremantle will miss their All Australian stars Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters for the clash due to their participation in Friday night’s All Star bushfire fundraiser game at Marvel Stadium.
As a result, Fremantle’s midfield will be led by Acres, Andrew Brayshaw and Reece Conca, with Adam Cerra and Travis Colyer on the wing.
Sean Darcy has been named in the ruck after sustaining a minor shoulder strain sustained in an intraclub hitout a fortnight ago.
Darcy is likely to be supported in the ruck by forwards Rory Lobb and Matt Taberner, who have been named at full forward and centre half forward respectively.
Brennan Cox will test himself against AFL opponents at full back after playing primarily as a forward in his first three years at Fremantle.
He will be joined by Griffin Logue at centre half back, with Luke Ryan and Ethan Hughes in the back pockets.
Stephen Hill has not been named in the clash with general manager of football Peter Bell saying the midfielder will instead play in Fremantle's second Marsh series game against West Coast on Saturday 7 March.
"Stephen is 100 per cent fine, he had two comprehensive hitouts in our intraclubs and we always planned for him to play only one Marsh series game," Bell said.
"Stephen will play next week against the Eagles at Joondalup in our second Marsh series game. If he needs more of a top up, Stephen will take part in a match simulation the week before our round one game."
Fremantle senior coach Justin Longmuir said he was looking forward to coaching Freo for the first time against AFL opposition.
“(This pre-season is) to really embed our style of play against another team as well as their individual roles and fitness - that’s the underlying aspect of the pre-season,” Longmuir said on 6PR’s Sportsday.
“We really want to get our players nailing their roles and that starts this weekend.
“We’ve done a lot of work against each other. When you’re playing against each other, your offence and your defence both can’t look good on the same day, so it’s almost impossible to get that sense on both sides of the ball.”
Bouncedown for the clash is at 4.10pm WST and the game will be broadcast live on Foxtel or streamed on Kayo or AFL Live Pass.
