FREMANTLE appear set to be bolstered by the inclusion of dangerous small forward Michael Walters for Sunday’s blockbuster against Hawthorn at Patersons Stadium.
Walters has been named in an extended squad for the clash and is expected to play his first game since Round 3.
The dynamic small forward is one of four potential inclusions for the Dockers with dangerous wingman Tendai Mzungu also in the frame alongside Matt Taberner and defender Alex Silvagni who will almost certainly replace the injured Luke McPharlin.
The inclusion of Walters would be a timely boost for the Dockers after last year’s club leading goal kicker made a successful return in the WAFL last week.
Walters impressed in his first game back with 19 disposals and a goal for Peel Thunder.
“He moved really well,” Fremantle Senior Development and Assistant Coach Simon Lloyd told the club’s website.
“Michael was really dangerous around forward 50 stoppages where he was able to lose his opponents in traffic and showed some sharp change of angles.
“It was a positive day for Michael and it was great to have him out there.”
Walters booted 46 goals for Freo last year.
They will, however, be without their All Australian full back in McPharlin who will miss with a calf injury.
Superstar Nathan Fyfe has been named despite murmurings about his injured shoulder.
Both teams have named 25-man squads that will be trimmed to a final 22 at 5pm today.
Round 21
Fremantle v Hawthorn
Sunday 17 August
Patersons Stadium, 2.40 pm local time (4.40pm Melbourne time)
B: Lee Spurr, Zac Dawson, Paul Duffield
HB: Nick Suban, Alex Silvagni, Michael Johnson
C: Cameron Sutcliffe, Ryan Crowley, Stephen Hill
HF: Michael Barlow, Chris Mayne, Nat Fyfe
F: Hayden Ballantyne, Matthew Pavlich, Zac Clarke
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, David Mundy, Lachie Neale
I/C from: Tendai Mzungu, Danyle Pearce, Matt de Boer, Hayden Crozier, Max Duffy, Michael Walters, Matt Taberner
IN: Alex Silvagni, Tendai Mzungu, Michael Walters, Matt Taberner,
OUT: Luke McPharlin (calf)
HAWTHORN
B: Taylor Duryea, Josh Gibson, Matt Spangher.
HB: Shaun Burgoyne, Ben Stratton, Grant Birchall.
C: Matthew Suckling, Sam Mitchell, Isaac Smith.
HF: Luke Hodge, Ryan Schoenmakers, Bradley Hill.
F: Paul Puopolo, David Hale, Luke Breust.
Foll: Ben McEvoy, Jordan Lewis, Liam Shiels.
I/C from: Brian Lake, Will Langford, Ben Ross, Angus Litherland, Jonathan Simpkin, Tim O'Brien, Jack Gunston
IN: Brian Lake, Ben Ross, Angus Litherland, Tim O'Brien, Jack Gunston.
OUT: Billy Hartung (omitted), Jarryd Roughead (suspension).
