Fremantle have made two changes for their do-or-die AFL semi-final against Geelong at Optus Stadium, recalling Judd McVee and Corey Wagner as they attempt to keep their premiership campaign alive.
Brandon Walker is ruled out with an ankle injury suffered in the Dockers’ qualifying-final defeat by Hawthorn, while Nathan O’Driscoll has been omitted. McVee returns in defence and Wagner comes into the side for Friday night’s clash.
The match is a second chance for Fremantle, who finished the home-and-away season as minor premiers but surrendered their opportunity to host a preliminary final when Hawthorn prevailed in the opening week of the finals.
Geelong, by contrast, have named an unchanged team after defeating Carlton in their elimination final. The Cats have again left key defender Sam De Koning among the emergencies rather than recalling him to counter Fremantle’s tall forwards.
Patrick Dangerfield will lead a Geelong side featuring Jeremy Cameron, Bailey Smith and Luke Humphries, while Fremantle will rely on the likes of Luke Jackson, Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw and Josh Treacy.
Geelong confirmed that Smith will play his 150th AFL match, while Dangerfield will make his 379th appearance. The match will also mark coach Chris Scott’s 600th AFL game as either a player or coach.
The first semi-final begins at 6.10pm local time on Friday, September 11, with the winner advancing to a preliminary final against Sydney. The loser’s season will be over.
The fixture at Optus Stadium has sold out.
