FREMANTLE is set to unveil a fourth debutant from its 2017 draft crop after calling up nuggety onballer Mitch Crowden for Saturday night's clash with Essendon at Optus Stadium.
Crowden will pull on the purple guernsey for the first time alongside highly rated No.5 NAB AFL Draft selection Adam Cerra.
The duo follow in the footsteps of top pick Andrew Brayshaw and rookie bolter Bailey Banfield, who both played in the 50-point season opening loss to Port Adelaide.
Their selection comes after senior coach Ross Lyon declared the Dockers needed to expose their kids and "align strategically with our public statements that we are rebuilding".
Crowden, pick 59 in last year's national draft, has been in solid touch at Peel over the past two weeks, tallying 19 and 17 disposals.
The 18-year-old South Australian spent time on a wing and in the centre in the 104-point thumping of East Perth last Saturday, winning three clearances and sending the ball inside 50 five times.
"It feels amazing," Crowden told fremantlefc.com.au.
"I got the call this morning (from football manager Chris Bond) and kept it together on the phone. Once I got off the phone I must admit I was pretty excited.
"We (Fremantle’s first-year players) were talking a little bit about what Ross said on Tuesday (hinting at two debutants).
"The whole Wednesday, no one got a phone call, so I wasn’t too sure what was going to happen.
"I woke up this morning and got the call so I’m pretty thrilled."
Fremantle fans have had limited opportunities to watch Cerra in action after he arrived at the club with a shoulder issue.
But the classy midfielder was a standout early in the Thunder's commanding performance against the Royals and has been picked for a memorable debut.
"We all came to Freo in the same year so seeing their dreams come true last week was unreal. I can’t wait for Mitch and I to do the same this weekend," Cerra said.
"It’s going to be unreal. Pumping noise at Optus Stadium and everyone cheering. Hopefully there’ll be a full crowd.
"I can’t wait to get out there with my teammates. It’s been a good pre-season together."
The Dockers could have four changes at least for the Bombers contest, with key defender Joel Hamling and important onballer Stephen Hill (calf) in the selection mix.
