He endured a topsy-turvy summer, but Fremantle recruit Colin Sylvia is a chance to make a shock appearance against Collingwood on Friday night as the Dockers sweat on the fitness of Danyle Pearce.
Fremantle had high hopes for Sylvia after snaring him through free agency at the end of last year, but the former Demon struggled to make an impact during the pre-season.
Sylvia tallied just five possessions in Fremantle’s 84-point practice loss to West Coast last month, with a series of minor niggles and a concussion halting his progression.
However, the 28-year-old was a shock inclusion in Fremantle’s 25-man travelling squad on Wednesday, with coach Ross Lyon holding his cards close to his chest as to whether Sylvia will play.
Sylvia’s chances could hinge on the fitness of Pearce, who will be further assessed on Thursday after suffering a recent leg niggle.
Lyon is confident Sylvia will be ready to perform if given the chance.
“He’s played two-and-a-half practice games, so he’s got about 260 minutes of AFL football,” Lyon said.
“He’s finally got some continuity, but there’s some people in form as well that he has to try and go past.
“It doesn’t matter how much talent you’ve got.
“If you don’t bring consistent effort to the training track and in games, you’re not going to be a consistent AFL player.
“So that’s the expectations, not only for Colin, but all of our players.”
Lyon declared midfielder Nat Fyfe (knee) and goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne (corked leg) as certain starters, but said ruckman Zac Clarke (knee) only travelled to Melbourne as an emergency.
Clarke has been out injured since December, with Jack Hannath set to be used as ruck back-up to Aaron Sandilands.
Collingwood’s key position options took a major hit on Wednesday when swingman Ben Reid and forward Jesse White were ruled out with calf injuries.
Former Giants midfielder Taylor Adams will play his first game for the Magpies, while premiership defender Alan Toovey is back from a knee reconstruction.
Fremantle have looked sluggish during their shortened pre-season campaign, but Lyon hoped the frenzied pressure that took them all the way to last year’s grand final will be on show against the Magpies.
“I don’t like the word tricks because tricks don’t win you games,” Lyon said.
“I’m an unabashed fan of the basics. That will be our trick.
“We’ve mooted positional flexibility; some slight structural changes at stoppages. But at the end of the day it’s about winning the ball and using it well, and when they’ve got it get it back off them.
“We have to make sure our pressure is at a high level.”
Etihad Stadium holds no fears for Fremantle, who have won five of their six games there since Lyon took over as coach.
