Fremantle’s early assessment of its line-up for Saturday’s round 23 game against Port Adelaide is that up to 11 players who played in Sunday’s 54 point win over Melbourne may be rested for the last home and away game of the season.

Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich said today that a range of matters needed to be determined before a final decision was made on team selection.

“When the players return to the club on Tuesday, our coaching team and medical staff will be able to assess the fatigue and injury status of our main group. This assessment will then help determine the availability of players for our last home and away game,” Rosich said.

“At this stage our initial assessment is that up to 11 of the players who played in round 22 may not be selected for our round 23 fixture.

“We are pleased for our club and our players that we have secured top spot on the ladder with one game remaining in the home and away season.

“It is a long hard season and our players have been rewarded for their efforts to date.”

Rosich said finishing on top spot on the ladder, which the club secured after Sunday’s win over Melbourne, provided the club with an opportunity to prepare and plan for the finals series in the best possible way.

“We are looking forward to the challenge of this year’s final series,” he said.

“As Ross Lyon stated at the press conference after yesterday’s win against Melbourne, given that the result on Saturday will not affect our ladder position or that of Port, we now have the opportunity to consider some player management because of our ladder position.

“We will liaise with the AFL throughout the week as we finalise our position on player availability.”

Rosich also said the club was conscious what affect resting players may have on Peel, Fremantle’s WAFL partner club, which will play in its first ever final in its 19-year history at the weekend.

  “We understand and appreciate that our decision will have an impact on Peel as they prepare for their finals campaign,” Rosich said.

Rosich said the club had been in regular contact with Peel officials during the past 24 hours and would continue to do so throughout the week.

“We really value our partnership with Peel and believe that the partnership is working well for both parties, as evidenced by Peel finishing third and now participating in their first finals series,” he said.

Peel CEO John Ditchburn said it was pleasing for the club and players to have secured third position on the WAFL ladder and for the club to be playing in its first ever final series, including a double chance.

“Fremantle’s decision on player availability will have an impact on our team for our first final, but it is an unprecedented situation,” Ditchburn said.

“Ideally, the timing of the AFL home and away season would marry up with the WAFL home and away season in future fixtures.”

Peel senior coach Cam Shepherd said the club was committed to the Fremantle partnership, which was working well and had resulted in the club playing finals for the first time.

“It’s a really exciting time for our players and supporters,” Shepherd said.

“We are really looking forward to the challenge of playing finals for the first time after almost 20 years in the competition.”