Fremantle have selected their final 23 to take on the Sydney Swans at the SCG on Saturday
Fremantle have made two changes to their final 23 that will play the Sydney Swans on Saturday at the SCG.
With Fremantle captain Alex Pearce sidelined with a fractured forearm, the Club has recalled 20-year-old key defender Joshua Draper as his replacement in the backline.
Draper debuted in round two this year, playing 12 consecutive games, highlighted by his 16 disposals and five marks in the Club’s round 12 win over the Demons in Alice Springs.
On Wednesday senior coach Justin Longmuir proclaimed his belief in the squad despite losing Pearce.
“I think we are confident that when we value the right things, and we execute the gameplan, then it holds up against anyone,” Longmuir said.
“Like I said after the game on the weekend, young key defenders when you come into the competition you don’t get any easy rides.
“You are usually playing your role which means you are playing on good tall forwards.”
In the absence of Pearce, Andrew Brayshaw will step in and lead the side as captain for the clash.
Speedy defender Brandon Walker has also returned to the team after missing last week’s clash with illness.
Walker has been named on the interchange alongside James Aish, Bailey Banfield, Matthew Johnson and Jaeger O’Meara.
The last time Walker played the Swans was in round nine when the 21-year-old gathered his season-high 19 disposals and kicked his only goal for the year.
Walker replaces Karl Worner who has been omitted for the clash.
Worner came on as the substitute for Alex Pearce in the third quarter during the Club’s 20-point win over the Gold Coast at the weekend.
The substitute will be confirmed from one of the five players named on the bench, one hour before the bounce on Saturday.
The last time the Club played the Swans at the SCG was in round nine last year, with Fremantle walking away 17-point victors as Luke Jackson, Josh Treacy, Michael Frederick and Jye Amiss all kicked multiple goals, while Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong both gathered over 30 disposals.
Bouncedown for the clash is 11.45am WST and will be broadcast live nationally on Channel 7 and Fox Footy and streamed live on Kayo.
TEAM v Swans
IN: Joshua Draper, Brandon Walker
OUT: Alex Pearce (injury), Karl Worner (omitted)
B: Heath Chapman, Joshua Draper, Hugh Davies
HB: Corey Wagner, Luke Ryan, Jordan Clark
C: Jeremy Sharp, Nat Fyfe, Hayden Young
HF: Sam Sturt, Luke Jackson, Michael Frederick
FF: Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss, Sam Switkowski
R/Fol: Sean Darcy, Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw
INT: James Aish, Bailey Banfield, Matthew Johnson, Jaeger O’Meara, Bandon Walker
EMG: Neil Erasmus, Ethan Hughes, Pat Voss