Chris Tarrant and Rhys Palmer have been named in Fremantle’s squad to play St Kilda in Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash at Etihad Stadium.
Clancee Pearce, who has been elevated to Fremantle’s main list, has also been added to the initial squad of 25 along with new recruit Dylan Roberton, who will make his AFL debut if selected.
Clancee Pearce, who has been elevated to Fremantle’s main list, has also been added to the initial squad of 25 along with new recruit Dylan Roberton, who will make his AFL debut if selected.
Roberton was taken as Fremantle’s fifth pick in last year’s NAB AFL Draft after an impressive 2009 season with the Dandenong Stingrays, where he averaged 21 disposals in 21 games.
On the milestone front, Steven Dodd will play his 100th match for Fremantle if he makes the final team, which will be decided on Friday afternoon.
Nick Suban is the only omission after hurting an ankle against reigning premier Geelong in the dying minutes of the round three victory at Subiaco Oval.
Palmer’s selection would mark a successful comeback from a knee reconstruction for the 2008 NAB Rising Star, who has been out of action since round six last year.
Tarrant, who missed last week with an ankle injury, would further strengthen a Fremantle backline which faces a Saints’ side minus attacking lynchpins Nick Riewoldt (injury) and Justin Koschitzke (suspension).
But Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said having the star pair out could be advantageous for the 2009 grand finalists.
“It can be an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on the unpredictability of how they go inside-[50m]," Harvey said.
“They’re the best defensive side in the competition... we’re looking at how we can possibly break that down a little bit.
“They’ve got some dangerous small forwards and also some midfielders who can kick goals.
“[Brendon] Goddard’s been playing there lately, so it depends how they want to have their structure.”
St Kilda’s effort to hold Collingwood goalless in the second half last Friday night to register a gutsy 28-point win at Etihad Stadium was proof of its ability to remain a potent attacking force without Riewoldt and Koschitzke.
Harvey said Fremantle would be looking to build on the round three win over the Cats, which he said was a “significant” step forward for his young squad.
“I think what was significant from the weekend was that the game looked like it was going to slip away from us and we managed to regroup and get back into the game and, in the end, head Geelong,” he said.
“If we can keep making those sorts of improvements, deal with the pressure and the psychology of the game when it’s at its most challenging, then that’s when we will really know.
“Now we get an opportunity on the road, which is a lot more difficult than at home.”
