In form utility Des Headland will miss Sunday’s 26th Carlton Mid Derby due to hamstring soreness.
Headland, 26, pulled up sore following last weekend’s match against the Cats and playing this Sunday would have run the risk of serious hamstring injury. He will be tested next week.
With Headland joining Aaron Sandilands on the sidelines, Sunday’s match offers several of the squad’s younger players the chance to take the next step in their careers.
Elevated rookie Andrew Foster has been named in the team’s preliminary 25 man squad after consistent performances for WAFL club East Fremantle.
The 21 year old has been a mainstay through the midfield for the Sharks in his 15 matches this season, averaging 16 possessions and five marks per game to compliment his tireless running.
He was elevated onto Fremantle’s senior list following Justin Longmuir’s placement on the long term injury list on 27 April (view Justin Longmuir story).
Foster’s run will be a welcome addition in combating West Coast’s decorated midfield of Daniel Kerr, Chris Judd and Ben Cousins.
“They’re elite players,” Senior Coach Mark Harvey said of the Eagles’ midfield.
“They are what we classify as ‘A Grade’ players and we’ve got to find the guys that can withstand that as a group or in fact expose that. It will depend on the momentum of the game.
“It’s a challenge to the whole team. Some of these guys can cover the whole length of the ground in about a 30 second period so they can run past 15 players. So at times it’s not going to be their direct opponent.”
Joining Foster on the extended bench is Brett Peake and Byron Schammer. Forward Ryan Murphy and ruckman Robbie Warnock also return to the side to tackle West Coast.
Round 18 – Sunday 5 August
Fremantle vs. West Coast
Subiaco Oval, 2:40pm (WST)
Fremantle Team v West Coast
B: Hayden, McPharlin, Thornton
HB: Mundy, Grover, Black
C: M. Carr, J. Carr, Johnson
HF: Solomon, Pavlich, Farmer
F: Murphy, Tarrant, Hasleby
Foll: Warnock, Crowley, Bell
IC (from): Drum, Duffield, Foster, McManus, Schammer, Peake, Gilmore.
Team Changes
In: Murphy, Warnock, Foster, Peake, Schammer
Out: Sandilands (inj.), Headland (inj.)
Broadcast Details
TV
FOX Sports 1
Live Nationally
Channel 7
PERTH – 30 minute delay
Radio
PERTH – 6PR, ABC
MELB – SEN, ABC
ADEL – ABC, FIVEaa
HOB – ABC
DAR – ABC
** check local guides **
