Fremantle have made two changes for their cut-throat AFL semi-final against Geelong at Optus Stadium, while the Cats will field an unchanged side as both clubs chase a place in the preliminary finals.
Corey Wagner and Judd McVee come into the Dockers’ final 23, replacing Nathan O’Driscoll and the injured Brandon Walker. O’Driscoll has been omitted after featuring in Fremantle’s qualifying-final defeat by Hawthorn.
Geelong have resisted the temptation to alter the side which defeated Carlton in last week’s elimination final. Patrick Dangerfield, Jeremy Cameron, Bailey Smith and captain Tom Stewart are all included, with Smith set to play his 150th AFL match.
The semi-final is being played at Optus Stadium in Perth on Friday night, with the opening bounce scheduled for 6.10pm local time, or 8.10pm AEST.
Fremantle finished the home-and-away season as minor premiers but were beaten by Hawthorn in the qualifying final, leaving them with a second chance and home advantage against the Cats.
Geelong arrive having won seven matches in succession, including their 33-point victory over Carlton at the MCG. The winner of Friday’s contest will progress to face Sydney in a preliminary final, while the losing side’s season will end.
The Dockers’ line-up includes ruckman Luke Jackson, captain Alex Pearce, Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong, while Geelong will rely on its experienced core of Dangerfield, Cameron, Stewart and Smith alongside forwards Gryan Miers, Brad Close and Shannon Neale.
