Fremantle coach Ross Lyon will sit down with his team’s medical staff this week to decide which players to rest for Saturday’s AFL clash with the Power in Adelaide.
The Dockers are set to rest a host of their best players for the Power clash after wrapping up the minor premiership on Sunday with a 54-point trouncing of Melbourne at Domain Stadium.
Veteran defender Luke McPharlin, skipper Matthew Pavlich and ruckman Aaron Sandilands are at the head of the queue for a rest.
And midfield guns Stephen Hill, David Mundy, Lachie Neale, Danyle Pearce and Michael Barlow could also be given the weekend off.
Nat Fyfe (leg) and Hayden Ballantyne (pectoral) have already been ruled out, while Michael Walters could join them after missing the Demons clash because of a calf injury.
Defender Cameron Sutcliffe is also in doubt after dislocating his shoulder against the Demons.
The AFL tightened its rules in relation to resting players after Fremantle sent a ‘B’ team to play St Kilda in round 23, 2013.
The Dockers ended up losing that match by 71 points, but their full-strength side beat Geelong in a qualifying final at Simonds Stadium a week later.
Under the new AFL rules, teams can still rest players to manage fatigue or injuries, but they can’t do it to improve their draft position or manipulate their position on the ladder.
That terminology still gives Fremantle enough scope to send over a ‘B’ team to face the Power at Adelaide Oval.
Lyon said it was important to assess every player to see which ones needed a rest.
“Our strength and conditioning guys are data dominated. They’ll produce the data and facts,” Lyon said.
“We’ll look at form and our medical will put through all the injuries. Because no team gets to this stage of the year where people aren’t carrying things.
“But we also respect we need to hit the finals in good form and be competing.
“We’ll try to strike that balance. But clearly one will suffer at the expense of the other.”
Fremantle’s minor premiership win means the club has finally snared a meaningful trophy after 21 years of trying.
But for Lyon, the real prize he’s after is the flag.
“It (the minor premiership) is the first time in the club’s history, so we tick that box,” Lyon said.
“But we understand it’s just the starting point for the real season. It’s really about getting a good grid position to attack the real season.
“It’d be nice to create some more history from there. That’s the aim.”
Pavlich booted three goals from 20 disposals before being subbed out in the third quarter against Melbourne.
The 33-year-old missed the previous game because of Achilles tendon soreness, but Lyon said Pavlich had no such issues against the Demons.
“He had his swerve back,” Lyon said.
Mark
Guest
Giving an injured a chance to recover is different to resting half your squad before finals.
13th Man
Guest
the difference is that other sides still have something to play for. WC need to win to stay second. Sydney need to win to make the 4. Admittedly they are playing against St Kilda and Gold Coast but still its a risk. Of course they have the right to rest but they won't put there ladder position at risk.
Don Freo
Guest
When betting agencies sponsor AFL to the tune of $2.5B, maybe then we might take them into account.
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
As the result would have no bearing on the finals positions and enough forward notice has been given so bookmakers wont be adversely impacted then don't see an issue. Now if Port were in a scrap for eighth spot with another side, big issue.
bart
Guest
Hated Old Easts but loved Bob Johnson - boy hood idol
Don Freo
Guest
Cometti played too. Sadly, he kicked 5 goals at full forward against East Freo in one game I watched. Cometti loved Old East...the traitor.
bart
Guest
It is weird though, West Perth are sponsored by 9, yet the most well known members and i think number 1 member is Basil Zempilas from 7 and another high profile member is Dennis Commetti who may have been number 1 member last year. Basil played for West Perth and Commetti coached them. Both are huge at 7
Nicko
Guest
Just saw the AFL has given permission to rest 11 players...it is official, the AFL has become a joke
Nicko
Guest
Because if they lose by a lot they could drop a few places on the ladder and get higher draft picks
13th Man
Guest
hahaha, yes, that's shocking from channel 7. ABC had no problem televising West Perth last year. 7 needs to grow up.
jax
Guest
I agree but for mine it has nothing to do with finishing top. All finalists should be able to rest whoever they want to in the last round of the H&A.
jax
Guest
Any team should be able to rest whoever they want. Quite a few teams in the eight have already rested players and there will be more rested this week I'm sure.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
I complained
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Freo finished top and earned the right to do whatever the hell they want in the final round - you win the premiership by winning the big one, that is and should be Lyons' focus. If he thinks he enhances his prospects by resting 11 players in the final home and away game of the season, so be it - that's his decision. Why should anyone give a damn about what the bookies think?
bart
Guest
More than that, 7 may well have to telecast West Perth if they keep on winning, that will be interesting :) For those that are not aware 7 refuses to televise West Perth because they are sponsored by 9, a sponsorship i might add that was signed before 7 got the rights to televise WAFL footy.
13th Man
Guest
yes the reserves that finished on the bottom of the ladder and get smashed every week. Doesn't look good for Peel, lucky its not a knockout final
Balthazar
Guest
Fairfax papers reporting they want to rest 11. Poor old Peel will be digging deep into their reserves list
Simmo
Guest
Well it's not illegal and EVERY other team would do it in their position. So the AFL should rule against it or everyone else should get over it!
13th Man
Guest
the reason is that Freo have earnt the opportunity to rest their players by being the best team all season and finishing the second last round a game and a half on top. The Swans rested a bunch last year and played half baked against Richmond and nobody complained about that even though it meant Richmond made the finals instead of West Coast who would've snuck in instead. Whats the bid deal? It doesn't affect anyone. Just smart coaching!
13th Man
Guest
Mate. I doubt Port will care, at least they will get to finish a poor season on a high with a 100 point flogging of the top side.