FREMANTLE will have two debutants in its clash with Port Adelaide this weekend, with top pick Andrew Brayshaw and mature-ager Bailey Banfield to play their first AFL games.
The Dockers announced on Monday the pair would line up against the Power at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon, with captain Nat Fyfe presenting their jumpers in front of the rest of the club's players.
Brayshaw, who Fremantle selected with pick No.2 at last year's NAB AFL Draft, has not put a foot wrong since moving to Perth.
He performed solidly in the JLT Community Series and looks a long-term midfielder for the club, having already signed a two-year contract extension, meaning the Victorian is tied to the Dockers until at least 2021.
"Nat said that I'd worked really hard all summer and I’d earnt my spot. He was really happy for me that I'd be travelling with him and playing my first game of AFL," Brayshaw said on the club's website.
"It was pretty surreal hearing the words from his mouth and going up to shake his hand. It was an awesome experience."
Banfield was also an early pick, except in the rookie draft, having been overlooked in two national drafts before getting a chance on Freo's list at the end of last year.
The 20-year-old was an impressive performer in the Dockers' pre-season clashes, kicking three goals across the two games and averaging nearly 15 disposals across both games.
"I'm not too nervous yet, that will build throughout the week. I’m just really excited at the moment and really, really glad that I get my chance," Banfield said.
A special announcement for two Freo youngsters... #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/Ksg4Jb4Dej
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) March 19, 2018