Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has defended his decision to select his B-team, claiming resting star players will boost the club’s chances of a successful AFL finals campaign.
The Dockers have made 10 changes for Saturday’s last-round clash with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
Key players Michael Walters (knee) and Nick Suban (hamstring) were already ruled out during the week, while Stephen Hill joined them in the casualty ward with a hamstring issue.
But with a top-two berth highly unlikely, the Dockers have decided to rest stars Nat Fyfe, David Mundy, Hayden Ballantyne, Michael Johnson, Zac Clarke and Lee Spurr.
Alex Forster will make his debut, while fellow fringe players Peter Faulks, Jesse Crichton, Josh Mellington, Alex Silvagni, Matt Taberner and Hayden Crozier have also been handed guernseys.
Ruckman Aaron Sandilands returns from a fractured cheekbone, while Clancee Pearce (calf) and Garrick Ibbotson (Achilles tendon) will also get much-needed runs after stints on the sidelines.
With Fremantle almost certain to play either Geelong or Hawthorn in an away qualifying final, Lyon said it was important to rest players so a core group of the squad won’t have to travel two weeks in a row.
“If that’s viewed as sinister, then we all look through the world with different eyes and different circumstances,” Lyon said on Thursday.
“We’re going over to get the points.
“Last year we flew two weeks in a row (during the finals) off two six-day breaks. We think that had a cumulative effect, so we’re planning for a strong campaign.”
Saints veteran Justin Koschitzke will play his 200th and final AFL game after overcoming a calf injury, with the Saints also recalling Tom Lee and Dylan Roberton.
Ladder leaders Hawthorn have rested Cyril Rioli, Liam Shiels (ankle) and Brent Guerra (back) for Friday night’s clash with fourth-placed Sydney at ANZ Stadium, while Jordan Lewis is among three inclusions.
The Swans have made four changes including losing Daniel Hannebery (hand), Rhyce Shaw (knee) and Nick Smith (calf) because of injuries.
Second-placed Geelong have managed Nathan Vardy and he’ll be replaced by ruckman Trent West for Saturday’s game against Brisbane at Simonds Stadium. Brent Moloney is one of three inclusions for the Lions.
Carlton, who can play finals if they beat seventh-placed Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday, regain Matthew Kreuzer, David Ellard, Andrew Walker and Jeff Garlett while Brock McLean has a thigh injury.
Domenic Cassisi is one of four inclusions for Port.
Finals-bound Richmond have rested key forward Jack Riewoldt for Saturday night’s emotion-charged MCG clash with Essendon, whose finals hopes have been dashed following this week’s deal with the AFL Commission over the club’s supplements scandal.
David Hille and Nathan Lovett-Murray have been recalled by the Bombers for their farewell games.
West Coast’s three changes include the return of veteran pair Andrew Embley and Adam Selwood who will play their last AFL games in Saturday night’s match at Patersons Stadium against Adelaide.