AFL
‘He looks like he’s played 100 games already’

Fremantle take on Gold Coast on Saturday at Metricon Stadium. 

Freo will need to make at least one change with Sam Sturt to miss around a month due to an ankle injury.

Here’s who could come in for the clash.

Stephen Hill
Hill was set to return against Port Adelaide in round three but was withdrawn from the team after picking up a cork at training on the Thursday night leading into the game. Should he get through this Thursday’s training session, the defender/midfielder will likely return to play his 207th AFL game and his first since round 17 last season. 

Sean Darcy
Like Hill, Darcy will need to prove his fitness on Thursday night. Darcy ran on Tuesday as he recovers from a minor knee injury sustained in round two against Brisbane. If selected, Darcy will return to the no.1 ruck role, freeing Rory Lobb to play as a key forward.

Connor Blakely
Senior coach Justin Longmuir has hinted he would make some changes to Fremantle’s midfield after the engine room ‘had their colours lowered’ in a five goal to none second quarter against Port Adelaide.

Blakely has spent the past two seasons playing a half back role but has returned to training with the midfield under Longmuir. 

Caleb Serong
The talented 19-year-old is another midfielder in line for selection. Serong has impressed at training and appears ready to make the step up to AFL level, with Luke Ryan on Wednesday saying the no.8 pick already looked like a 100-game player.

AFL
‘He looks like he’s played 100 games already’

Bailey Banfield
The forward was omitted in round three for the return of Sam Sturt. With Sturt out due to injury, Banfield shapes as a potential replacement. Banfield has one goal from his two appearances this season, averaging 11 disposals. 

Taylin Duman
After establishing himself in Freo’s starting 22 in 2019, Duman had a slow start in 2020, averaging 10 disposals and 3.5 marks per game before he was omitted for round three. In 2019, he averaged 15 disposals and 5.5 marks per game and remains on the cusp of selection. 

Tobe Watson
The 190cm defender was one of Fremantle’s best when the non-selected players took part in a scratch match against Brisbane a fortnight ago. He was drafted as a rookie ahead of the 2019 season. He made 16 league appearances for Peel in 2019, averaging 17 disposals and 6.5 marks per game.