Club Captain Matthew Pavlich will return to the Fremantle line up for Sunday's Carlton Mid Derby XXVIII at Subiaco Oval.
Matthew was a late omission from the Fremantle team that defeated Port Adelaide by 28 points last Sunday at AAMI Stadium with a knee injury. The week off has allowed him to return to full fitness so he can take part in the final career match of good friend Shaun McManus.
Joining Matthew in being recalled to the line up is Roger Hayden, Andrew Browne and Kepler Bradley.Matthew was a late omission from the Fremantle team that defeated Port Adelaide by 28 points last Sunday at AAMI Stadium with a knee injury. The week off has allowed him to return to full fitness so he can take part in the final career match of good friend Shaun McManus.
Both Roger and Andrew have overcome hamstring and calf injuries respectively, while Kepler is a likely replacement for Robert Warnock who has been ruled out due to injury. He will undergo shoulder surgery tomorrow to allow him the best possible chance to recover and prepare for the 2009 season.
Senior Coach Mark Harvey has encouraged Fremantle members and supporters attending Carlton Mid Derby XXVIII to create a sea of purple in honour of the retiring Shaun McManus.
“I would love to see all Fremantle supporters coming to the game dressed in as much purple as possible to show how proud, loyal and passionate they are for Shaun McManus and help give him a send off he will never forget,” Mark said.
Mark’s call to arms comes in the wake of the club announcing its planned tributes for Shaun prior to and after the match.
Fremantle members and supporters who will be attending Carlton Mid Derby XXVIII on Sunday are encouraged to arrive at Subiaco Oval early and remain at the ground following the match as the club pays tribute on-ground to Shaun.
Prior to Fremantle taking to the field, Shaun will be introduced to the crowd with his family at 2:31pm ahead of his team-mates joining him to run through the banner. Once the team has broken through the banner, a video tribute to Shaun’s career will be played on the big screen on top of the NAB Stand.
Following the conclusion of the match and presentation of the Carlton Mid Derby trophy to the winning captain and announcement of the Ross Glendinning medallist, Shaun will be interviewed on the ground before leading the Fremantle Football Club on a lap of honour.
Mark encouraged all Fremantle members and supporters coming to the game to arrive in time to give Shaun a rousing ovation prior to the match.
“Shaun has been one of Fremantle’s most loyal servants in the club’s history and it is only fitting that every member and supporter who has followed his career pay tribute to his achievements on Sunday afternoon,” Mark said.
“I encourage everyone who will be at Subiaco Oval on Sunday to allow enough time to be at the ground and in their seats by 2:30pm so they can be a part of what will no doubt be one of the most memorable moments in Shaun’s career.”
Bouncedown on Sunday is 2:40pm WST.
Round 18 – Sunday 3 August
Fremantle vs. West Coast
Subiaco Oval- Bouncedown at 2:40pm
Fremantle Team – Round 18 v West Coast
B: Thornton, Grover, Mi Johnson
HB: Mundy, McPharlin, Head
C: Ibbotson, Crowley, Peake
HF: Farmer, Tarrant, Mayne
F: McManus, Pavlich, Ma Johnson
FOLL: Sandilands, Schammer, Carr
I/C from: Murphy, Duffield, Palmer, Dodd, Browne, Hayden, Bradley
In: Pavlich, Browne, Hayden, Bradley
Out: Warnock (inj)
Milestone: Final career game for Shaun McManus
