MATURE-AGE Fremantle recruit Shane Yarran will make his AFL debut against Gold Coast on Saturday.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon confirmed on Thursday morning that the 27-year-old would play against the Suns.
His debut comes just a month after he was charged by police for disorderly conduct in public, pleading guilty in the Perth Magistrate's Court two weeks ago and being fined $800.
The club did not impose a suspension or financial sanction but he was required to undertake a counseling program and do some volunteer work.
Lyon said that indiscretion had not counted against him in selection because of the work he had put in on the training track throughout the season.
"There's deposits and withdrawals, isn't there?" Lyon said.
"Obviously it was a slight withdrawal.
"So there's your deposits and there's your withdrawals and you balance it up.
"We always support the person and challenge the behaviour.
"We believe he’s a good person who's had some challenges. He's building his life and is trying to redeem himself.
"I can only judge him since he's walked through the door here. You can only take people as you find them.
"Therefore, the confidence was built with the action over a long period of time.
"That's all you can do as a coach.
"Clearly it wasn't ideal, and there's always mitigating circumstances, but he's ultimately been picked because he's played some good football."
Yarran has had an incredible journey to AFL football. He spent time in prison during a troubled youth for aggravated burglary.
But in two seasons for Subiaco in the WAFL he kicked 93 goals, won two premierships and the Bernie Naylor Medal as the WAFL's leading goalkicker.
Fremantle took him with pick No.61 in last year's NAB AFL Draft.
His season to-date has been marred by injury.
He had to rehab a knee injury he suffered during last year's WAFL Grand Final and did not play for Peel until round seven when he bagged three goals, but a calf injury sidelined him for a further five weeks.
Yarran has kicked just three goals and averaged nine disposals in the last four matches in the WAFL but the weather has been in atrocious for a number of those games.
"He's an extreme speed and endurance sort of athlete, and he's a goalkicker," Lyon said.
"Unfortunately he had those calf problems, so we would have seen a lot more of him.
"We're thrilled to give him an opportunity. If he can lay a few tackles, play in the front half and kick a few goals, we'll be thrilled.
"He's obviously had some challenges along the way and he's held himself together. But the real work starts now."
The Dockers are set to make at least three changes after losing Michael Barlow (shoulder), Hayden Ballantyne (cheekbone) and Matthew Pavlich (managed).
Ed Langdon is also set to return, but Lyon said he would wait until Fremantle completed training on Thursday before finalising the Dockers' 22.
The Dockers are also considering two ruckmen against the Suns. Jon Griffin has played a lone hand in the last two weeks, with support from Matt Taberner, after Zac Clarke and Jack Hannath were dropped following the loss to Collingwood in round 14.
