Missing talent

There will be some quality missing from Friday night’s game because of injury and suspension. Fremantle sent the Brownlow Medal and AFL Fantasy worlds into meltdown after accepting Nat Fyfe’s two-match suspension, while Mick Barlow will have to put his love affair with the Sherrin on hold for between four to six weeks because of a knee injury. Both players had made magnificent starts to the season. While Zac Dawson is a non-factor in Brownlow and Fantasy, his presence is crucial in the league’s best backline. The defender will miss one game for a tripping charge. The Hawks will also be sweating on the availability of some of their stars. Inspirational captain Luke Hodge is under a cloud with a groin injury, while Ryan Crowley may be stood up for his date with Sam Mitchell if the star Hawk can’t come up from a calf injury. Defenders Ben Stratton, Ryan Schoenmakers, and midfielder Brad Sewell are also tests.

Fyfe, Dawson accept bans – Barlow out

Depth aplenty

Don’t think for a second, however, that these two teams don’t have the manpower to cover for injury and suspension. Freo showed on multiple occasions in 2013 that it could win big games with stars missing. In round 7, it went into a game against Collingwood minus Nat Fyfe, Stephen Hill, Matthew Pavlich and Aaron Sandilands, and lost ruckman Jon Griffin to a knee injury in the early stages. Lyon’s men emerged victorious. You only have to look as recently as this past round to know what Hawthorn is capable of. The reigning premiers were without Norm Smith Medallist Brian Lake, Sam Mitchell, Ben Stratton, Ryan Schoenmakers and Brad Sewell, and lost skipper Luke Hodge to injury. Needing two goals in the last three minutes to beat an in-form Essendon, the Hawks delivered through sheer will and effort.

Hodge in doubt


Who could come in for Freo?

We know there’s going to be at least three changes for Freo when the teams are named on Thursday at 3.25pm WST. Fyfe and Barlow’s absence from the midfield could see Lachie Neale earn another shot, while Hayden Crozier is also a chance to return. Zac Dawson must also be replaced in defence. The Hawks have plenty of tall forwards, so Alex Silvagni could come under consideration, while key players Garrick Ibbotson and Zac Clarke are closing in on returns, as well. It’s going to be a tough session at the selection table for Freo this week.

HBF Injury Update

Revenge? Redemption? Dress rehearsal?

Friday night’s match against Hawthorn could be all about revenge for Freo. It could be the opportunity the club has been waiting for to rectify the Grand Final defeat at he hands of the Hawks last year. Win, and redemption is ours, right? Wrong. No matter what happens on Friday night, Hawthorn will always be the 2013 AFL Premiers. Ross Lyon does not live in the past and will make no mention of this game being about anything other than four premiership points. And don’t tell the Freo senior coach this game is a dress rehearsal for this year’s Grand Final. Lyon does not reside in the future either. “Yeah, I'll buy into it... I'll get the streamers out and we'll pump it up,” Lyon said when asked if Friday’s game was a precursor to September. “For what? We're not in the finals yet. You can't play in the finals until you've earned the right. It's another four points.”

No special treatment for Hawks