Ruckmen Kepler Bradley and Zac Clarke have been selected in Fremantle’s squad for Sunday’s Carlton Mid Derby against West Coast at Subiaco Oval.
The pair, along with Byron Schammer, Dylan Roberton and Rhys Palmer, have been added to an extended interchange bench, which will be trimmed on Friday afternoon.
Bradley and Clarke’s inclusion could indicate that Fremantle coach Mark Harvey is looking to give Aaron Sandilands support against West Coast’s ruck duo of Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui.
“They would be one of the best ruck combinations going around, their ruck department,” Harvey said of the Eagles’ big men.
The Fremantle coach has used Michael Johnson as a backup to Sandilands in the ruck so far this season, but he said that tactic could not be relied upon for the rest of the season.
“Don’t underestimate rucking and what it does,” Harvey said. “Michael’s (Johnson) not used to playing there and then he’s got to go play a key position in the forward line, too. There will be some stage when we have to play a genuine ruckman.”
Palmer, who has recovered from a knee reconstruction, has been named in the squad for the past two weeks, but he has not been selected in Freo’s final 22 on both occassions.
However, after his best-on-ground display for WAFL side East Fremantle last Sunday, the 2008 NAB Rising Star looks set to reclaim his place in the Fremantle midfield.
But a cautious Harvey said AFL coaches today had to be certain a player was ready to go before selecting them.
“He’s (Palmer) played six WAFL games now, but you have to be spot on and sharp when you come back into this game,” he said. “You can’t carry guys who are coming back from injury.”
However, Harvey hinted that Palmer was right on the cusp of being selected to play in Sunday’s Derby.
“Rhys is a terrific player and he plays with a lot of desire,” he said. “He has put performances on the board that would suggest he is ready. If he plays it would be in the midfield, where he plays his best.”
Harvey rejected claims that the Eagles were underdogs to win the Derby.
“In this competition, you could see in about six rounds some teams you think would finish in the top four that might struggle, and some teams that are down on the ladder at the moment that will rise,” he said. “There’s no underdog status as far as I’m concerned.”
Harvey also said he had never prepared his team any differently for a Derby than he had for any other game, but he admitted that the occasion often reached the players.
“It’s always a fascinating build up and the hype surrounding [the Derby] can grab the attention and the attitude of a player, no matter where the team may be at that particular stage,” he said.
Harvey said that, next to finals, the Derby was one of the more high pressured games players would contest in their careers.
“There will be no breathing space in this game. If your concentration wavers or you are slow to make decisions, then you will get found out in this derby, no matter what player you are,” he said.
With the return of Tim Ruffles and Scott Thornton to the main list from the long term injury list, Jay van Berlo and Clancee Pearce are now back on the rookie list.
Fremantle Team
Backs: Alex Silvagni Chris Tarrant Ryan Crowley
Half Backs: Greg Broughton Luke McPharlin Roger Hayden
Centre: Adam McPhee David Mundy Paul Hasleby
Half Forwards: Michael Johnson Matthew Pavlich Stephen Hill
Forwards: Matt de Boer Chris Mayne Hayden Ballantyne
Followers: Aaron Sandilands Michael Barlow Paul Duffield
Interchange (from): Nathan Fyfe Rhys Palmer Anthony Morabito
Byron Schammer Dylan Roberton Kepler Bradley
Zac Clarke
