Dockers to play two debutants in round one

Fremantle rookie Bailey Banfield even surprised himself at how quickly he has earned an AFL debut, while draftee Andrew Brayshaw will get a chance against Port.

Andrew Brayshaw, Freemantle.

First-round draftee Andrew Brayshaw will make his Freemantle debut against Port Adelaide. (AAP)

Fremantle will unveil prized draftee Andrew Brayshaw and rookie revelation Bailey Banfield in their AFL clash with Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

Brayshaw, snared with pick No.2 in last year's national draft, has impressed through the midfield during the pre-season.

But it has been Banfield who has been the ultimate surprise packet, with the 20-year-old starring as a medium-sized forward who can pressure at ground level.

Banfield was overlooked in the 2016 and 2017 national drafts, before earning a chance via Fremantle's rookie list.

Brayshaw and Banfield learnt of their impending debut during Monday's team meeting, when captain Nat Fyfe presented the pair with the jumpers they will wear on Saturday.

"It was pretty surreal hearing the words from his mouth and going up to shake his hand. It was an awesome experience," Brayshaw told the club's website.

"It would be a little bit more daunting (debuting) by yourself, so to have someone who's also playing their first game will help me a bit.

"All summer you work really hard and it's the ultimate goal for every first-year player, so I'm feeling on top of the world at the moment."

Current Dockers Aaron Sandilands, Ethan Hughes, Matt Taberner, and Lee Spurr also arrived at Fremantle via rookie drafts.

Banfield said he even surprised himself that he has been able to earn an AFL debut this early.

"I was hoping, but I definitely wasn't expecting it," Banfield said.

"Coming in, I thought I was a long way off playing so it's definitely exceeded my expectations.

"It was always a hope and a goal but not one that I thought was necessarily realistic."

Brayshaw is the younger brother of Melbourne's Angus, and hopes are high he can become an integral part of Fremantle's side for years to come.

The midfielder has been living with Lachie Neale since arriving at Fremantle - a living situation that is set to continue for the rest of the season.

"He's good. He's pretty clean, neat and tidy," Neale said of Brayshaw.

"He does the dishes, which is good. You can't ask much more out of an 18-year-old, can you?"

Fremantle are being widely tipped to miss the finals for a third straight year, but the player group has adopted the philosophy that anything is possible.

Star midfielder Stephen Hill (calf) has already been ruled out against the Power, while his brother Brad Hill (quad) could also miss.

The Power will be without suspended forward Robbie Gray and defender Jasper Pittard, who will miss up to five weeks with a hamstring injury.


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Source: AAP


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