Exciting midfield prospect Caleb Serong will play his first AFL game when Fremantle run out against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
Defender/midfielder Stephen Hill is Fremantle’s other inclusion, returning to play his first AFL game since round 17 last year.
The pair come in for injured duo Sam Sturt and Brennan Cox.
A no.8 pick in the 2019 NAB AFL National Draft, Serong has impressed with his clean skills and ability to attack the contest.
Serong was told the news by senior coach Justin Longmuir leading into Freo’s Thursday night training session at Metricon Stadium.
“You’re going to play your first game this week, and to be honest, it’s been impossible to leave you out,” Longmuir said.
“You used the shutdown to get better, you came back fitter and stronger and you trained the house down since you’ve been back.
“You deserve your opportunity, you’ve earnt it. Get out there and enjoy it, well done.”
Hill makes his return after he was withdrawn from Fremantle’s round three team after sustaining a calf cork at training last Thursday night.
Barring any other mishaps at training this Thursday, the experienced Docker will play his 207th AFL game and bring some valuable experience to Freo’s backline.
Sean Darcy has been named as an emergency for the clash to allow the ruckman more time to recover from the minor knee injury sustained against Brisbane in round two.
The absence of Darcy means Fremantle will once against have versatile forward Rory Lobb lead in the ruck with talls Jesse Hogan and Matt Taberner up front.
Forward Bailey Banfield, midfielder Connor Blakely and defender Taylin Duman have also been named as emergencies.
Bouncedown for the clash is at 5.40pm (WST), with the game broadcast live into Perth on Channel 7Mate and nationally on Foxtel.
The match will also be streamed live via Kayo and AFL Live Pass.
TEAM v SUNS
Back: Stephen Hill, Griffin Logue, Reece Conca
Half back: Nathan Wilson, Luke Ryan, Ethan Hughes
Centre: Brett Bewley, Nat Fyfe, James Aish
Half forward: Lachie Schultz, Matt Taberner, Caleb Serong
Forward: Travis Colyer, Jesse Hogan, Michael Walters
Ruck/followers: Rory Lobb, Andrew Brayshaw, Darcy Tucker
Interchange: Brandon Matera, Hayden Young, Adam Cerra, David Mundy
Emergencies: Sean Darcy, Connor Blakely, Taylin Duman, Bailey Banfield
In: Caleb Serong, Stephen Hill
Out: Sam Sturt, Brennan Cox
