With Adelaide’s monster forwards looming large, Fremantle are banking on defender Alex Silvagni to help stem the tide in Saturday’s AFL clash at AAMI Stadium.
The Dockers were dealt a huge blow on Tuesday when premier defender Luke McPharlin’s appeal against a one-match ban for rough conduct fell on deaf ears at the AFL Tribunal.
McPharlin has been in career-best form this season, playing a key role in helping Fremantle become the second-best defensive team, behind only ladder leaders Sydney.
After bursting onto the scene with 15 games in 2010, Silvagni has managed just 12 of a possible 40 since, with a run of frustrating injuries limiting his availability and hindering his form.
His last match for Fremantle was in round 14, then he was dropped after conceding three goals to out-of-form Collingwood forward Chris Dawes.
But with Adelaide’s forward line boasting the likes of 197cm Josh Jenkins, 192cm Taylor Walker and 202cm returning spearhead Kurt Tippett, the Dockers are in desperate need for Silvagni to play a blinder to help ease the load on fellow tall defenders Michael Johnson and Zac Dawson.
Tippett was named for the first time since suffering his third concussion of the year against West Coast in round 17, but the Crows lost small forward Jason Porplyzia to a shoulder injury.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said McPharlin’s suspension provided a great opportunity for Silvagni to step up.
But Lyon stressed the need for Fremantle to put in an even effort across the field to cut off Adelaide’s forward thrusts.
“Adelaide rank No.1 for goals from marks in the AFL. That tells you a bit about how they like to score,” Lyon said on Thursday.
“They’re a really big challenge.
“But we’re going to rely on pressure up the field. Why we were able to defend well last week is about pressure around the ball, and we need to bring that again.
“We’ve got faith in our systems but it’s all underpinned by effort.
“You talk about technicalities and mechanics but, if you don’t bring work ethic and put effort in, it’s hard to bring things to life, so we know it starts with that.”
Fremantle have won their past five games to move within 0.8 per cent of eighth-placed Essendon, while second-placed Adelaide (14-4) need to keep winning to shore up a top-two berth.
