Fremantle have made two changes for Sunday’s crucial clash with Brisbane on Sunday at Optus Stadium.
Alex Pearce returns following a week off with concussion while Connor Blakely is technically an inclusion after playing as the medical sub against Richmond last week.
The pair replace Bailey Banfield (concussion) and Tobe Watson (omitted) in the starting 22.
Blakely has been named as the medical sub eight times this season and this is the fourth time he has been named in the 22.
In Thursday’s media conference, senior coach Justin Longmuir said Blakely had performed a difficult role admirably this year.
“In some sense, being the medical sub is a skill on its own, not knowing when you're coming on and you need to be able to fill a variety of roles,” Longmuir said.
“As the medical sub this year, he's come on fresh and his work rate has really shone out. His ability to play inside and outside has been really favourable in that role, because you're never sure who you’re going to lose and get taken off the ground.
“He performed well on the weekend.”
Pearce will start the game at centre half back while Blakely has been named on the interchange alongside ruck Lloyd Meek and first years Brandon Walker and Joel Western.
Watson, Ethan Hughes, Brett Bewley and the untried Nathan O’Driscoll have been named as the emergencies, with one of those players set to be named as the medical sub an hour prior to bouncedown.
The clash will be crucial for both sides, with Fremantle in eighth on 36 points and Brisbane in sixth on 48 points. A win for the Lions could see them return to the top four while a Freo win will ensure they remain in the top eight.
To get as many fans to the game, Fremantle have made a limited number of tickets available for just $28. Click the exclusive link below to get yours now!
EXCLUSIVE LINK: BUY $28 TICKETS
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OTHER TICKETS
The game will be broadcast live into Perth on Channel 7 and Fox Footy and can be streamed live on Kayo.
TEAM v BRISBANE
IN: Alex Pearce, Connor Blakely
OUT: Bailey Banfield (concussion), Tobe Watson (omitted)
B: Nathan Wilson, Griffin Logue, Luke Ryan
HB: Hayden Young, Alex Pearce, James Aish
C: Darcy Tucker, David Mundy, Adam Cerra
HF: Travis Colyer, Matt Taberner, Liam Henry
F: Lachie Schultz, Josh Treacy, Mitch Crowden
R/Fol: Sean Darcy, Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw
I: Joel Western, Brandon Walker, Lloyd Meek, Connor Blakely
E: Tobe Watson, Nathan O’Driscoll, Ethan Hughes, Brett Bewley
Neale ruled out of Freo reunion
Gallery: Main training 5 August
Round 23 return 'realistic' for Cox
