Fremantle are set to make at least one change for Sunday’s clash with Brisbane at Optus Stadium.
On Wednesday, Fremantle confirmed that forward Matt Taberner has been ruled out for the season with a stress fracture in his left foot.
Here’s who could come in for the clash.
Cam McCarthy
If Freo decide to replace Taberner with another tall forward, McCarthy is the clear candidate. He started the season strongly - kicking 10 goals in the opening four games before going goalless in rounds five and six.
Griffin Logue
In his weekly media conference, senior coach Ross Lyon highlighted defender Griffin Logue as a possible replacement, although it would require multiple changes or switching some positions around. Moving Michael Walters forward, Connor Blakely into the middle and sending Logue back would be one of the many options available to the selection team.
If selected, Logue would play his first game since round 23, 2017, after missing the 2018 season with a foot injury and the start of 2019 with a hamstring injury.
Ryan Nyhuis
The defender was arguably an unlucky omission for round nine after some good form in his three appearances between rounds six and eight.
Nyhuis is building a reputation of being able to limit the impact of opposition small forwards and could be an option to play on Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron.
Travis Colyer
Colyer has played eight of nine games this season, averaging just under 15 disposals and 3.4 marks per game. The midfielder had a quiet start for Peel but impressed in the final term and kicked a long-range goal.
Stefan Giro
The running midfielder played 10 games in his debut season but is yet to earn a start at AFL level in 2019. Last week for Peel, he led the Thunder with 22 disposals, four marks and four tackles.
Lachie Schultz
The small forward had 17 disposals, four tackles and a goal for Peel against Claremont at the weekend. The mature aged recruit made his debut in round one and played the opening three games of the season, averaging 13 disposals per game and kicking two goals.
Mitch Crowden
Crowden has been one of Peel’s best this season, averaging 23.6 disposals per game. The hard-nosed midfielder has taken his pressure to another level in the past fortnight, racking up 15 tackles against Claremont and 12 against East Perth.
Tom North
Midfielder Tom North has also been pressing for a call-up to make a potential debut. From his six WAFL appearances this season, he has averaged 24.3 disposals and 3.3 marks per game.
Brett Bewley
The running midfielder continues to press his case for a debut, collecting 21 disposals and laying six tackles for Peel against Claremont.
Bailey Banfield
The young midfielder has been delivering for Peel this season, averaging 22.8 disposals from his four appearances. Banfield played the opening three games of the AFL season, adding to his 20 games played in 2018.
Scott Jones / Lloyd Meek
Lyon said that Fremantle would ‘look at’ potentially bringing in a ruckman to allow versatile ruck/forward Rory Lobb to head forward to replace Taberner.
Jones had 34 hitouts against Claremont, stepping up with Sean Darcy coming off in the opening term with an ankle injury.
Meek has played the past three games in the WAFL reserves in order to get more time in the ruck, averaging 38 hitouts in those games.
