Young Dockers could cop Magpie hiding

Fremantle will field another two debutants plus a host of other inexperienced players in Sunday's AFL clash with Collingwood at the MCG.

Hayden Ballantyne

Hayden Ballantyne is among the veterans dumped by Fremantle this weekend in favour of young talent. (AAP)

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.


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Source: AAP



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