Fremantle’s hopes of stretching its unbeaten run to 13 in a row have received a major boost with dynamic Geelong midfielder Bailey Smith and gun defender Tom Stewart both ruled out of Thursday night’s clash at Optus Stadium.

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And the Dockers have as expected recalled vice-captain Caleb Serong, defender Brennan Cox and ascendant midfielder Matt Johnson from injury.

Brownlow Medal second-favourite Smith, who has not missed a match this season, did not make the trip through illness, while Stewart remains in concussion protocols after also missing last week’s win over the Gold Coast.

The Cats named Jeremy Cameron, who sits second on the Coleman Medal table, despite a hip issue.

Fremantle trio Oscar McDonald, Corey Wagner and Jaeger O’Meara made way for Serong, Cox and Johnson.

Serong last played against Essendon in round 10 and has recovered from a calf injury, while Cox (knee) and Johnson (hamstring) were declared available for selection by coach Justin Longmuir on Tuesday, who forecast there would be an unlucky selection squeeze following the club’s record 124-point thrashing of North Melbourne before the bye.

Johnson missed only one match before the bye after injuring his hamstring against Brisbane in round 12.

Cox, a possible match up with Geelong spearhead Shannon Neale, was also last seen in AFL action against the Lions.

The return of Serong and Johnson means the Dockers already formidable midfield depth will be even stronger, with Hayden Young, Andrew Brayshaw, Shai Bolton and Murphy Reid all key players in the demolition of the Roos.

Jack Bowes replaces Smith in the Cats’ line-up.

Geelong coach Chris Scott will have major headaches deciding which player super stopper Oisin Mullin will go to.

Cox’s return stiffens an already stingy defence with key backmen Alex Pearce, Luke Ryan and Heath Chapman complementing run and carriers Jordan Clark and Judd McVee.

Like Fremantle, the Cats have a multi-pronged attack led by Shannon Neale, Cameron, and Ollie Dempsey, with inform trio Ollie Wiltshire, Shaun Mannagh and Jack Martin also looming as threats.

Stewart’s absence at the other end will rob the match of a compelling match-up with Patrick Voss.

FREMANTLE v GEELONG, Optus Stadium, 6.10pm

DOCKERS

B: B Cox A Pearce H Chapman

HB: J Clark L Ryan J McVee

C: N Erasmus A Brayshaw M Johnson

HF: S Bolton M Frederick S Switkowski

F: P Voss J Amiss J Treacy

FOLL: L Jackson C Serong H Young

I/C: K Worner M Reid N O’Driscoll I Dudley M Cox.

EMG: C Wagner J O’Meara O McDonald

IN: B Cox M Johnson C Serong.

OUT: O’McDonald C Wagner J O’Meara (all omitted)

CATS

B: C O’Sullivan J Henry O Mullin

HB: J Kolodjashnij Z Guthrie M O’Connor

C: J Bowes T Bruhn M Blicavs

HF: O Dempsey J Cameron O Wiltshire

F: S Mannagh S Neale J Martin

FOLL: M Edwards M Holmes T Atkins

I/C: L Humphries S De Koning G Stevens P Dangerfield O Henry

EMG: J Clark J Bews R Stanley

IN: J Bowes.

OUT: B Smith (illness)