AFL finals: Fremantle to recall Judd McVee at Brandon Walker’s expense for semifinal clash against Geelong
Fremantle defender Brandon Walker won’t play in Friday night’s semifinal clash against Geelong. See who Justin Longmuir has confirmed as his replacement here!
Judd McVee will earn a shot at redemption after being axed for Fremantle’s finals opener, with the defender a confirmed inclusion to replace Brandon Walker in Friday night’s semifinal clash.
Dockers coach Justin Longmuir on Thursday revealed McVee would take Walker’s place for the Optus Stadium blockbuster against Geelong.
McVee has been twice dropped in the space of a month after being a permanent fixture in defence for most of his first season in purple since crossing from Melbourne.
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Longmuir said he wanted McVee to focus on contested footy and to “trust himself” upon return to the line-up.
“I am not going to give too much away with roles but he’ll clearly play down back,” Longmuir said.
“(McVee needs to) trust himself. I think when he’s playing is best footy, he’s playing on instinct and trusting his ability.
“We’ve probably seen his contest drop away a little bit and pressure of others playing really well at Peel has found him out of the team but when he’s playing his best footy, he’s working with his teammates well, he’s trusting his read on the ball and then trusting himself in the contest and the rest will flow off that.”
Walker struggled upon return last week for his first AFL match since Fremantle’s season opener. Hawthorn ace Nick Watson had a significant impact on the game before Walker was forced to make an early exit with an ankle injury.
Longmuir was coy on any other potential changes for Friday night, saying there “may be” further moves but confirmed experienced ruckman Sean Darcy was not available after sustaining a minor knee injury playing for Peel Thunder.
It means the Dockers are again set to roll with veteran Mason Cox as Luke Jackson’s ruck support, having filled that role since round 18.
Veteran midfielder Jaeger O’Meara is a chance to earn a recall despite struggling with an ankle injury in the second half of Peel’s second semifinal win against Claremont down in Mandurah on Saturday.
O’Meara has featured in six games this year - all wins - and was most recently in the side for the round 19 clash against Port Adelaide.
The 14-season veteran has never won a finals match in his career, having played just twice in September.
The Dockers on Thursday morning had a light training run on the Optus Stadium turf, ahead of naming their final line-up later in the day.
