Ross Lyon says exciting midfielder Anthony Morabito is edging closer to AFL selection after a string of five consecutive league games with WAFL club Peel Thunder.

While he wouldn’t be considered for Saturday’s important clash against Essendon at Patersons Stadium, Lyon indicated that the powerful 20-year-old could push for senior selection for Freo's round 14 clash against Collingwood at the MCG.

"He's certainly got the opportunity every time he trains and plays to impress us and he's really building," Lyon said.

"We had a fantastic sit-down yesterday and mapped his next few weeks. But it can all change really quickly on a really strong performance.

"He could be selected next week, there's no doubt about that."

Morabito was in rehab for the entire 2011 season after undergoing a full knee reconstruction in December 2010.

He sustained a quad injury early this year, and then one week after making his return with the Peel Thunder reserves in round three, he suffered a grade one hamstring tear.

Lyon said the club had to be mindful that Morabito had played only one full game in the WAFL and would only select him for the highest level when the time was right.

"We're really doing the right thing by Anthony here," Lyon said.

"He's such a big part of our long-term plan at this club that we want to bring him in, and when he comes in, we want him to stay in.

"We're really expectant that you'll see him push for senior selection over the next few weeks. It's about him walking down the race knowing he's ticked every box and that he can compete at AFL level."

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