Fremantle seek 8-1 start with little Optus Stadium change
Fremantle head into optus stadium on Thursday night expecting to keep changes to a minimum as they chase an 8-1 win-loss ratio. Justin Longmuir has a side that has moved with stability over the last fortnight, and another tidy selection call would leave the Dockers chasing their best start since 2015.
Longmuir’s selection call
Only one change has been made across the last fortnight, and that run of continuity points toward a familiar group again. Matt Johnson was extremely quiet in Fremantle’s two-goal win over the Western Bulldogs, finishing with six kicks across the last two weeks, so he is one of the players under the microscope if Longmuir decides to adjust the line-up.
Nathan O’Driscoll is the clearest case for a possible recall. The emergency posted 28 disposals, six inside 50s and one goal for Peel Thunder against West Perth last Saturday evening, a line of form that gives Fremantle a ready-made option if the coach wants a change without altering the structure too much.
Walker and O’Driscoll options
Brandon Walker is another player in the frame. He will be available for selection if he exits concussion protocols, which gives Fremantle one more potential change point without forcing a broader reshuffle.
The Dockers do not need much invention right now. They have won consistently and have made only one change across the last fortnight, so the selection focus is less about fixing a problem than preserving the formula that has taken them to the edge of an 8-1 start.
Hawthorn’s other watchpoint
Hawthorn’s own team picture adds one more layer to the night. Bodie Ryan is set to be the club’s third debutant of 2026 after being drafted with Pick 46 three years ago, and his VFL numbers — 21.8 disposals, 5.6 marks and 2.2 tackles per game — show why he is in the conversation.
Jai Newcombe could not get above a jog while training away from the main group on Tuesday, while James Sicily is expected to play despite a sore ankle. Josh Weddle is also coming off a poor match against Collingwood, so Hawthorn arrive with their own selection questions even as Fremantle try to keep their line-up largely intact.
For Fremantle, the task is straightforward: keep the group stable, keep the wins coming and leave little reason to tamper with a side that has one of the club’s best opening runs in sight. If Longmuir resists change again, the message is clear for the players who have carried the last fortnight — keep their places, and keep the Dockers moving toward 8-1.
