Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir confirmed the club debut of Mason Cox which will impact Luke Jackson’s role in Sunday’s derby along with the return of Hayden Young and Michael Frederick.
On Cox’s role, Longmuir said: “Mason’s been in really good form. He’s been our best player at Peel … and really he’s been just waiting for an opportunity, and an opportunity has presented, so he’ll come in,” Longmuir said on Friday.
“The obvious one is his ability to go forward. Whether we use him there much with our three talls, he does give us that flexibility. Otherwise, it’s pretty similar (to Darcy).”
Similarly, Young’s return may impact the likes of Caleb Serong and Andy Brayshaw’s midfield time.
On Young’s role, Longmuir said: “In the end, it’s where he feels most comfortable as a player and where he has the most impact for the team. So, although his minutes might slightly change first week back in terms of forward/mid balance, he’ll continue to play the same role.
“He has too much impact for us in the midfield but also forward of the ball. So we want him in there. He’s one of our best centre-bounce players and we want him in a position where he can best impact the game.”
Eagles coach Andrew McQualter wouldn’t give much away on selection but there is some doubt of Cooper Duff-Tytler holding his spot after a quiet few weeks.
McQualter said: “He didn’t have a great game last week but he’s young. He did quite well in the contest for a young man. We love that part of him. He’s growing every game. He’s getting better. He’s going to be a great player for us for a long time.”
McQualter did confirm Milan Murdock will come straight back in from injury. He said: “He’s done so well since he started at our footy club. He’s also mature, he’s played 100 games of state league men’s footy as a midfielder.”
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon wasn’t pressed on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera’s fitness despite being managed at training on Thursday.
But Lyon was asked about him copping a tag from Adelaide, stating: “They’re going have a plan A, B and C. We’re not a strongest link game … we’re a weakest link game. And we’re a club building and we’re going to need 23 contributors.
“Nas can get 30 (disposals) and kick four and we can lose by five goals. So it’s more than Nas … but he’s important to us.”
Port coach Josh Carr insisted Zak Butters’ performance against Hawthorn wouldn’t be impacted by his midweek tribunal case.
Carr said: “Coming in the next morning, he came in with a smile on his face and was ready to go – and he said ‘I’m ready to go, I’m ready to play’.
“He has matured over the years, Zak, and he’s learned a lot about himself and a lot about the way that he deals with this sort of stuff. So I have got absolute confidence in what it looks like for this game.”
Richmond confirmed a debut for 20-year-old midfielder Patrick Retschko. He was traded from Geelong in the off-season for pick 99 and is an endurance athlete, who has done well in the VFL.
Adelaide revealed 20-year-old half-back Charlie Edwards will debut. He’s a 191cm youngster, who was taken with pick 21 in the 2023 AFL Draft, having averaged 24.5 disposals in the SANFL.
