Fremantle remain unchanged for match against Melbourne, ruck Sean Darcy misses round one

Fremantle have not rushed big man Sean Darcy back into the side for round one, instead opting for Stefan Giro as the medical sub for today’s clash with Melbourne.

The Dockers confirmed the side would line up as named at the MCG, with Giro given the nod to play as the newly introduced sub ahead of Heath Chapman, Leno Thomas and Darcy.

The match will be Giro’s first since 2018 after injury cruelled his early AFL career.

The 22-year-old has had to overcome a knee reconstruction and a syndesmosis injury in recent years before getting the nod to return to AFL action today.

Darcy has not played since he injured his knee during pre-season back in January.

The Dockers’ number one big man was in a brace for a number of weeks but returned to full training in recent days.

He boarded the team flight to Melbourne on Thursday but will be held back at least another week.

The decision to name Giro as sub means both Chapman and Thomas are still waiting on their AFL debut.

Chapman has impressed in the pre-season since being picked up in last year’s AFL Draft.

Ruckman Lloyd Meek will debut for the Dockers in the match at the MCG and was handed his jumper pre-game by veteran David Mundy.

For the Demons, Kade Chandler is the medical sub with no changes to their line up named on Friday.

Clayton Oliver will play his 100th game while young James Jordan will debut.