Fremantle has played just 26 players through its impressive 3-1 start to the season and Harvey said his players were becoming more professional in their preparation and recovery as they mature.
In a sign of the club’s newfound depth, returning midfielder Rhys Palmer is one of six Fremantle players that could be included to face Richmond at Subiaco Oval on Anzac Day, with senior players Steven Dodd and Byron Schammer putting pressure on from the WAFL.
“I think it takes time to make sure that your list is ready for the impact and demand of the game and we’re getting somewhere near that now,” Harvey said from Fremantle Oval on Wednesday.
“It’s all about preparation and then on the back of that it’s how you recover.
“There have been a lot of learning curves that we’ve had to go through to make sure the players understand that.”
As well as Dodd and Schammer, recruits Dylan Roberton and Nat Fyfe are also being considered to face the Tigers. Forward Ryan Murphy booted seven goals for South Fremantle in the WAFL.
Palmer has played two reserves and two league games with WAFL side East Fremantle on the road back from a knee reconstruction, and he would make his return exactly 12 months after injuring his right knee if he faces Richmond.
Harvey said the decision to take Palmer to Melbourne as an emergency last week was part of his football education.
“It wasn’t just necessarily because he was an emergency, it was about football for him and what the game’s all about,” Harvey said. “Just teaching him about football culture and the amount of games that can be played in another state.
“He’s getting close. He was an emergency last week, but it’s not easy to get into the team at the moment either and he knows that.
“Rhys will be under consideration, as will about five or six other players. He thinks he’s ready to go, but we’ll tell him when he’s ready.”
With Anzac Day falling on a Sunday this year, there will be three AFL games, with Fremantle’s Len Hall tribute game a standalone twilight fixture.
Harvey said Fremantle should keep playing on Anzac Day even when the commemorative public holiday falls on a weekday.
With Anzac Day falling on Easter Monday next year, the AFL has indicated a Monday night fixture featuring Fremantle is likely.
“I think what’s made the day, from a sporting/AFL point of view, so intriguing and fascinating is the fact that they’ve kept it to one or two particular games,” Harvey said.
“If we played six or eight games we’d lose a bit of what it was all about."
Harvey suggested Essendon and Collingwood’s blockbuster remain a standalone Saturday afternoon game, while Fremantle hosts a twilight or night fixture.
“Any others would suggest we play more than two games,” he said.
