Nat Fyfe is back in the starting 22 for Waylalup (Fremantle) for the first time since round one as the Dockers prepare to tackle the reigning premiers Geelong at Optus Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Fyfe, 31, has been the sub for the past two games as he continues to build his match fitness after plantar fasciitis derailed the start of his season.
The dual Brownlow medallist has been named on the bench to take on the Cats and will likely be on managed minutes, with Neil Erasmus coming out of the side to allow room for Fyfe’s inclusion.
It is unclear how much time Fyfe will spend in the midfield or up forward, having attended six of the eight centre bounces in the final quarter of their win over Sydney.
Since coming back into the team against Hawthorn, Fyfe has played just 32 and 25 per cent game time but this is set to grow substantially against the Cats.
Coach Justin Longmuir remained coy over how they would use Fyfe when asked on Wednesday, having used the entire pre-season to prepare him to be a focal point in attack.
“He played 40 minutes in the first week and probably 30 minutes on the weekend,” Longmuir said on Wednesday.
“It’s a bit of a step up to play 80-90 minutes. We just need to make sure he’s really confident in his foot and he has confidence in his performance.”
Erasmus, out-of-favour midfielder Will Brodie, rookie Karl Worner and second-year midfielder Matt Johnson have been named as emergencies, with one to be the sub.
Meanwhile, Geelong have lost East Perth product Mitch Duncan to a low-grade hamstring strain at training on Wednesday, meaning he won’t make the trip west.
The Cats have been forced to make three changes, with forward Ollie Henry to miss because of a ruptured testicle and Jhye Clark also injured, while premiership goalsneak Tyson Stengle returns from injury alongside Brad Close and Jack Henry.
Walyalup
FB: B Cox A Pearce H Young
HB: B Walker L Ryan J Aish
C: J Clark S Switkowski E Hughes
HF: C Serong L Jackson B Banfield
FF: M Walters J Amiss L Schultz
FOL: S Darcy A Brayshaw N O’Driscoll
I/C: J Treacy M Frederick N Fyfe J O’Meara
EMG: N Erasmus W Brodie M Johnson K Worner