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Fremantle forward Sam Sturt to play first game since round five last season, named to face Hawthorn

Headshot of Braden Quartermaine
Braden QuartermaineThe West Australian
VideoWATCH: 19-year-old Sam Sturt looked right at home on AFL debut, slotting this brilliant, tight set shot.

Fremantle will give fans a glimpse of their forward line of the future against Hawthorn at Optus Stadium today, with injury-cursed youngster Sam Sturt and debutant Josh Treacy to join forces.

Sturt, 20, and Treacy, 18, were among four inclusions for the Dockers, who are looking to rebound after last Sunday’s disappointing road loss to Carlton.

Captain Nat Fyfe was also confirmed as a certain starter after missing a week with concussion, while defender Tobe Watson returns.

Hayden Young (hamstring), Sam Switkowski (finger) and Lachie Schultz (concussion) could not be considered, while last week’s sub Liam Henry was left out altogether.

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Midfielder Stefan Giro was dropped from the 22 but is set to be the sub after being held out of Peel’s team today.

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The Hawks have rested 392-game veteran Shaun Burgoyne and left out youngster Jacob Koschitzke from the team that pushed Geelong on Easter Monday, including defender Michael Hartley.

Treacy’s debut comes after a rollercoaster month for the exciting teenager. A two-game WAFL suspension translated into four AFL rounds, before the Dockers got that overturned but then left him out last week despite him being available.

Treacy said the unusual build-up had been difficult.

“Plenty of ups and downs that’s for sure. It was pretty tough at one stage there to cop the suspension,” he told he club website.

“For the club to work with the AFL and get that changed around and to be available to run out and play this weekend is pretty exciting.”

Asked if he had imagined he would debut so early, the rookie-listed key forward said: “I probably didn’t even expect to be on a list if I’m really honest.”

Fremantle Dockers Training. Pictured - Sam Sturt.
Camera IconFremantle Dockers Training. Pictured - Sam Sturt. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian

The Dockers named both ruckmen Lloyd Meek and Sean Darcy in their 22 and are set to play their tallest forward line of the season, despite the prospect of yet another wet home game.

With 15-25mm of rain forecast, the Dockers have until 1.40pm to submit their final team sheet but appear unlikely to make any changes with Giro the only emergency held over.

Midfielder Caleb Serong is expected to play following a hamstring scare at training during the week.

Fremantle general manager football operations Joe Brierty backed the two-ruck system to work in the wet.

“We think they both provide us with a strong option in the ruck and obviously with potentially the wet weather, they give us some strength around the ground to let our mids get to work,” Brierty told ABC radio.

“They’ve obviously performed pretty well over the first few rounds, so at this point in time that’s the plan.”

FULL TEAM:

B: Ethan Hughes, Brennan Cox, Tobe Watson

HB: Reece Conca, Luke Ryan, Nathan Wilson

C: Adam Cerra, Andrew Brayshaw, Blake Acres

HF: Travis Colyer, Sean Darcy, Michael Frederick

F: Josh Treacy, Matt Taberner, Michael Walters

R/Fol: Lloyd Meek, Nat Fyfe, David Mundy

I: Sam Sturt, James Aish, Caleb Serong, Heath Chapman

E: Stefan Giro, Connor Blakely, Liam Henry, Taylin Duman

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