The coach declared No.4 draft pick Anthony Morabito a certain starter for next Sunday’s clash with Melbourne at Subiaco Oval after a hard-running, two-goal performance from the midfield.
Rookie-listed pair Alex Silvagni and Michael Barlow have also ensured they will come under strong consideration for the pre-season competition, while creative half-forward prospect Nat Fyfe and midfielder Justin Bollenhagen impressed.
Fyfe, Fremantle’s second draft selection in 2009 (No.20 overall), kicked one goal and was switched from the ‘B’ side to coach Mark Harvey’s preferred line-up after half time.
“He did a couple of good things when he was on the other side, so we just wanted to have a look at he and (Dylan) Roberton and see how they would handle the more experienced side,” Harvey said.
“You’ll start to see us zoning in on those new players that we’re looking at.
“(But) all of these players have got to earn the respect of their teammates and make sure they’re doing the hard things, rather than making sure they get a game by playing well in intra-clubs.”
David Mundy was the pick of Fremantle’s senior players, kicking three goals from the midfield and moving well, while Adam McPhee also made a positive start to his second stint with Fremantle as a sweeping half-back.
A host of best-22 players were missing from the trial match, including captain Matthew Pavlich, Rhys Palmer, Nick Suban, Michael Johnson, Dean Solomon and Greg Broughton.
Fremantle fielded a preferred line-up against a ‘B’ side - which included Ryan Crowley and Byron Schammer for midfield balance - with the stronger outfit kicking away to 29-point win over four 20-minute quarters.
There were two injury scares, with prized youngster Stephen Hill limping off early with what appeared to be a severe cork and Chris Mayne leaving the ground clutching his leg in the final moments.
Hill, who has put on 5kg this summer, had his right leg iced and didn’t return to the field. But Harvey said the 19-year-old would have resumed if four points had been up for grabs. The coach also said Mayne was fine.
Harvey, who left the coaching to his assistants and watched the game from behind the goals, said there were some good signs, but ball movement was slow at times.
He added that big men Zac Clarke and Kepler Bradley were both chances to line-up alongside No.1 ruckman Aaron Sandilands in Sunday’s NAB Cup opener.
