Garrick Ibbotson will become the third Fremantle player to debut in 2007 when he runs onto Subiaco Oval on Sunday to clash with Richmond.
Ibbotson, 19, will start the match on the bench and will be a handy addition to Fremantle’s midfield rotations with his pace and reliability through the centre and across half forward.
Ibbotson is expecting a tough match against the Tigers tomorrow.
“It will be a big game and it will be a lot different to WAFL football,” Ibbotson said.
“It’s a big step up and I’m looking forward to playing. It will be an exciting time and I can’t wait to get out there.
“Hopefully this week will be a good game for me and a good game for the club and I can have my first game as a win.”
Ibbotson joins ruckman Robbie Warnock and forward Clayton Collard in making their AFL debuts this season.
A product of the successful AFL breeding ground of Bullcreek-Leeming Junior Football Club, Ibbotson’s inclusion comes after an impressive start to the WAFL season with East Fremantle, which has seen him regularly feature in the Sharks’ best players.
He has been a consistent contributor in his nine league appearances for the Sharks this season and was a vital cog in the East Fremantle midfield on Foundation Day against South Fremantle, racking up 21 possessions and two goals. His performance on Monday mirrored his round one performance against the Bulldogs where he picked up 23 possessions.
He averages 17 possessions, four marks and one goal per game up to round 10 in the WAFL.
Ibbotson was Fremantle’s second round selection (number 26 overall) in the 2005 NAB AFL National draft.
Bouncedown on Sunday is at 2.40pm (WST), with the match being telecast on Channel 7 from 3.00pm (WST) and will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1.
Fremantle Team – Round 11 v Richmond
B: Hayden, McPharlin, Thornton
HB: Black, Grover, Dodd
C: Peake, Hasleby, Mundy
HF: Headland, Pavlich, Solomon
F: Bell, Tarrant, Johnson
Foll: Sandilands, M. Carr, J. Carr
IC: Warnock, Cook, Ibbotson, McManus
Emerg: Webster, Campbell, Walker
AFL DEBUT: Garrick Ibbotson - (Born 15 March 1988) Fremantle’s second round selection (number 26 overall) 2005 NAB AFL National draft. Height: 187cms, Weight: 84kgs. Midfielder from East Fremantle Football Club in the WAFL.
