Fremantle are taking their rebuild to the next level, and Collingwood are set to reap the immediate rewards.
The Dockers have all but conceded their finals hopes are done and dusted for 2018 after last week’s AFL loss to North Melbourne left them with a 4-6 record.
Fremantle are in the third year of their rebuild, and have already blooded five debutants this season.
That number will rise to seven when midfielder Stefan Giro and ruckman Scott Jones make their debuts in Sunday’s clash with Collingwood at the MCG.
Fremantle will enter the match missing a host of their most experienced players due to injury and the selection axe.
Aaron Sandilands (concussion) and Stephen Hill (quad) were ruled out, while veterans Danyle Pearce, Hayden Ballantyne, and Michael Johnson were dumped.
Former Sun Brandon Matera was also dropped.
The Dockers have lost all four of their games on the road this season by an average of 54 points.
That record could get even worse given the lack of experience in this week’s side, with Fremantle to field seven first-year players.
It means Collingwood’s chances of producing a percentage-boosting win have improved dramatically.
That’s very good news for the Magpies, who currently boast a 6-4 record and a percentage of 109.6.
Lyon said development of Fremantle’s list would be his No.1 priority for the remainder of the season.
“We think we’re doing ok (with the four wins),” Lyon said.
“But the wins (and) losses are irrelevant. It’s actually just about improvement.
“There’s some incredible things going on here. That won’t always be reflected on the scoreboard.
“It’s a slower burn, but one we’re really enjoying – although we’d love to win more.”
Fremantle’s midfield has been a strength this season.
But with no Sandilands in the ruck to spoon feed the club’s on-ballers, Fremantle could be vulnerable against the Magpies.
Debutant Jones and the injury-prone Michael Apeness will join forces to combat in-form Magpies ruckman Brodie Grundy.
Lyon rates Grundy as the form ruckman of the competition.
But he is also backing Jones and Apeness to make their presence felt, especially when they drift forward.
“Both of them really launch hard at the football,” Lyon said.
“Hopefully there’s a few Collingwood defenders feeling their wrath.”
Collingwood have lost Jeremy Howe (bone bruising), Ben Reid (leg), and Travis Varcoe (hamstring) to injury.
Mature-age rookie Brody Mihocek will make his debut, while midfielder Daniel Wells and Brayden Maynard return to the side.
User
Roar Rookie
Fraser is the best list insurance player we've had lol Murray was to keen on assaulting ppl who talked to His missus unfortunately
Paul D
Roar Guru
Freo had their chances. They drafted Tom Sheridan, Hayden Crozier and Alex Forster before him Don't laugh too hard though West Coast fans. You took Murray Newman and Fraser McInnes.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Re: the pick we didn't have a choice, it was that or let him walk to the draft If we paid the $25K it wouldn't have even come to that I didn't want to believe it, I really didn't. But hearing various people who had been to various club functions all tell the same version of the same story, including being confirmed by Craig Lambert - well, it's either a hell of a chinese whisper or it's true
User
Roar Rookie
I've heard similar about betts and Jacobs as why they left Carlton, Glad Brisbane held back mate and accepting pick 28 is unbelievable
Paul D
Roar Guru
Funny you guys talking about Yeo - there is a story doing the rounds that has emerged recently and been confirmed by a few people in the Lions establishment that Yeo would have stayed at the Lions if we'd offered him an extra $25K/year and we didn't budge Indicative of what a trainwreck this club was during the Voss years in terms of development that we'd lose him over a measly $25,000 but paid big coin to guys like Rich and Rockliff. Actually, what I am talking about. It still is a trainwreck
Jon Boy
Guest
Well it did turn out a 61 point loss. With the oldies it would have been a upwards of 100 like last year ,they tried hard and toughed it out and there was some good signs for the future.
User
Roar Rookie
Alright to make it easier. Wce took Sheppard as they rated him higher, as freo did with morabito. Wce like freo were keen on taking fyfe with their second pick. Fyfe had come from nowhere that year and was going to be a speculative pick as he was a skinny kid who had not been a star junior. This should be easier for you to understand Donny.
Don Freo
Guest
So far you have said they were always going to pick him...but you went for Sheppard. Then you said no one was going to pick him because he was skinny...but you were still always going to pick him despite the fact no one was going to and you didn't. Every time you try to clarify, you get muddier. The thing is, why bother? Your opinions only exist for me to mock them. They have no other value.
User
Roar Rookie
As indicated before wce would've taken fyfe over gerrick wheedon at pick 22 if freo hadn't taken him with pick 20, is that easier for you to understand Donny?
Don Freo
Guest
Ah...so you were hoping for a 5th round drafting of him? Missed it by THAT much.
Don Freo
Guest
Well, we all know that is what you are trying to do. You just need to know that 'excuses' does not begin with an 'S'.
User
Roar Rookie
Nice try don, you've been proven wrong once again and are out of your depth, consider this exchange as not drowning but learning experience for yourself. No back tracking, freo dropped the ball and for a club that insists on developing the list through trade more often than not(name me last fullback not traded in?) It really highlights not just your lack of footy knowledge but more so your lack of knowledge on the club you support. Fact you don't realise wce were going to get fyfe if freo hadn't grabbed him isn't surprising as you don't have the acumen of others here.
Jon Boy
Guest
Don, Rather like your call calling me Jonchild ......Just thought i would return the favor FOS. probably should have not stooped to your level.
Don Freo
Guest
No...there is only one 'fact' here. You are back tracking on a (typical) Matti piece of silliness which is only there because of your compulsion for gainsaying. Yeo was not on Freo's radar because they didn't need him. Morabito was better than Fyfe (as indicated by Mora's only full season). Fyfe was never on WC's radar. Even Mark Harvey didn't want him. It was only Phil Smart's insistence that got him with our second pick. I raise Fyfe as an example to show you that no one could predict the injury toll that might make Yeo a useful draft.
Jon Boy
Guest
Agree..
Aligee
Roar Rookie
Neither of them are there ATM, which seems about right to me.
Jon Boy
Guest
Fair enough that is your opinion, but i do not believe playing a 31year old who is not contributing should be playing in front of much younger players who have a future at the club...... Regardless he is rightly not in the team and there is no point bringing him back in my opinion.
Jon Boy
Guest
Have a look for yourself....... Surely you don't need me to show you it is not that hard...... Ballantyne averaged 1.4 goals a game in his career when the style of football was different ( Easier for small forwards to kick goals) you probably have not noticed though. Matera averages 1.2 so very little difference Ballantyne's days are shot, should not play again .Matera has still got years ahead and can only get better at a new club and back home. Sit back and enjoy..........
Aligee
Roar Rookie
I would be interested to know whether Lyon drafted Matera on the back of - oh we can improve his defensive pressure - or we can get an attacking forward who kicks goals here. The mindset IMO if the first statement is correct is why Lyons tenure IMO should be coming to an end.
Aligee
Roar Rookie
The difference between Ballantyne and Matera is Balla is far far more courageous and desperate, both TBH are not great kicks for goal, Ballantyne seems to run to fast and does not steady and has a quite ugly kicking style, Matera seems to have been drafted on the back of his name. Both are serviceable, Ballantyne will never live down his GF performance and i reckon i could find a stack of bad goal kicking when it really counted. Small forward is a hard job when a team is getting beaten Ballantyne would be in front for me to get a game based on his defensive pressure and desperation to get the ball (when on ). I am really not quite sure Freo was looking at when getting Matera.