FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon has lost patience with Garrick Ibbotson, axing the underperforming defender for Sunday's crunch clash with Collingwood at Domain Stadium.
Ibbotson, who was named in the 40-man Virgin Australia AFL All Australian squad in 2015, has struggled to recapture his best as an intercept backman this season and has been replaced by mature-age draftee Luke Ryan.
Ryan, 21, has been in superb touch for Peel Thunder in recent weeks after overcoming hip and ankle issues since he was drafted with pick 66 from Coburg last year.
Ibbotson has been sent back to the WAFL alongside big man Jonathon Griffin and veteran Danyle Pearce.
The Magpies (4-6) will be searching for their third-straight win.
Giant Aaron Sandilands (hamstring tightness) will make a timely return against in-form Pies ruckman Brodie Grundy, while Ed Langdon (knee) is also back after missing the 100-point belting from Adelaide.
The Magpies haven't handed a debut to father-son draftee Callum Brown, instead bringing in Jackson Ramsay and Ben Crocker.
Jarryd Blair has been axed, while forward Alex Fasolo is out of the side as he deals with depression.
Sunday's clash has significant ramifications for the top-eight, with Fremantle (6-4) fighting to hold onto a finals spot with a percentage of just 81.5.
Fremantle v Collingwood at Domain Stadium, 2.40pm AWST
FREMANTLE
In: L.Ryan, A.Sandilands, E.Langdon
Out: D.Pearce, G.Ibbotson, J.Griffin
New: Luke Ryan (Coburg VFL)
COLLINGWOOD
In: J.Ramsay, B.Crocker
Out: J.Blair, A.Fasolo (mental health)
