With a likely trip to Melbourne in week one of the finals in mind, the club opted to leave David Mundy, Nat Fyfe, Hayden Ballantyne, Michael Johnson, Zac Dawson, Zac Clarke and Lee Spurr out.
Nick Suban (hamstring soreness), Stephen Hill (hamstring soreness) and Michael Walters (knee) were the forced outs.
Fremantle general manager of football Chris Bond said the decision to rest so many players had not been made in haste.
“It's been a long week in match committee, but obviously the first final will be in Melbourne which means there is two travels in a row,” he said.
“There's been discussions with everybody involved, from CEO to match committee, to our leadership group as well.
“We think it gives us the best opportunity to be at our best for our final.”
Coming into the side are senior players Aaron Sandilands, Garrick Ibbotson, Clancee Pearce and Alex Silvagni, as well as Hayden Crozier, Jesse Crichton and Matt Taberner.
Named for his first AFL game was second-year player Alex Forster, who battled injury in his first year at the club.
Bond said the 20-year-old had improved since being able to play regular football with Peel Thunder atWAFL level.
“He's been able to put a fair bit of footy together in the half-back role, and he can play up the field if he has to,” he said.
“He's been in solid form throughout, and he's going to get an opportunity to play.”
Josh Mellington has also been named. He made an impact at AFL level at the start of 2012 before a hamstring injury ruined his season.
“He's had a few injuries throughout the journey, but he'll be back into the team and he'll be working as hard as he can to get some good form,” Bond said.
The last time Peter Faulks played AFL was round 23, 2011, a game he broke his jaw in.
But Bond said the club had full confidence in the defender, who has been one of the most consistent key backmen in the WAFL for two seasons now.
“Peter's also had a few injury interruptions throughout the last couple of years, but he's a real quality person and the players will really enjoy playing with him and we think he will get the job done for us,” Bond said.
