What selection dilemmas?

Other than Aaron Sandilands and Anthony Morabito, every player is fit and available to take on West Coast at Patersons Stadium on Saturday. There are plenty of hands being put up around Freo headquarters, but spots are at a premium. Ross Lyon has already indicated that he used the NAB Cup to play as close to his round 1 side as possible.

That means Jon Griffin and Zac Clarke will share the ruck duties in Sandilands’ absence, and the midfield will have rotations comprising of Nat Fyfe, Michael Barlow, David Mundy, Ryan Crowley, Stephen Hill, Danyle Pearce, Tendai Mzungu, Clancee Pearce, Matt de Boer and possibly even Nick Suban, who has been used in a variety of roles.

In defence, Luke McPharlin and Zac Dawson will get the jobs on the tall forwards, while Michael Johnson and Paul Duffield will do the creative work out of the backline. The big question has been who will fill Adam McPhee’s vacated spot in defence. Garrick Ibbotson had been earmarked as a candidate, but he was left out of the side’s last NAB Cup game and played WAFL for East Fremantle on the weekend. Another player who could play the role is Alex Silvagni, but he’ll have to sit out round 1 because of a lingering suspension from the 2012 semi-final.  Lee Spurr appears to have done enough to keep his spot in defence after an impressive NAB Cup campaign.

Up forward there will be a similar look to the second half of 2012. Matthew Pavlich will be the key target, supported by Chris Mayne and the resting ruckman. At the feet of the talls, Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters will leave opposition defenders feeling like they’re trying to chase a mad chicken. Hayden Crozier could be rewarded for his strong form during the NAB Cup with one of the final spots in the team.


Knocking on the door

While the 22 to play West Coast on Saturday looks reasonably settled, the pleasing aspect for Freo is the number of young players getting their hands on the ball at WAFL level. On the weekend just passed, Tom Sheridan, Lachie Neale, Jayden Pitt and Josh Mellington all played important roles for their respective clubs, while comeback-kid Viv Michie also did well.

Differing approaches

Fremantle has played its best possible line-up throughout the NAB Cup, aiming to get as many minutes as possible into its players’ legs before the real thing begins. The Eagles have had a different lead up, selecting understrength sides and blooding a number of youngsters in its campaign. Some of these were forced upon John Worsfold because of injuries,with stars Nic Naitanui, Matt Rosa, Daniel Kerr and Collingwood recruit Sharrod Wellingham out.

Round 1 Carlton Mid Derby

For the first time ever, the Carlton Mid Derby will open the seasons of WA’s two AFL clubs. Freo will be seeking a fourth consecutive win in season openers following victories over Adelaide (2010), Brisbane (2011) and Geelong (2012). The Eagles have won their past two openers.

Winners get four points and the rest

As round 1 comprises only two games this weekend and seven the next, both sides will get a week off ahead of their round 2 fixture. The team that wins Saturday’s Carlton Mid Derby will take four crucial premiership points and then suit up well rested to go 2-0 in 2013.

Click here to find out how you could win $2,500 at this Saturday's Carlton Mid Derby