Fremantle have officially withdrawn veteran midfielder Jaeger O'Meara from their Round 1 clash against Brisbane on Sunday.
O'Meara - who's had a relatively uninterrupted pre-season - pulled up sore from the week's training, with journalist Ryan Daniels saying he should be available for selection next week.
OโMearaโs knee pulled up sore - couldโve played this weekend but @freodockers erring on side of caution.
All things going well should be available next week. https://t.co/9qTEXc2Lj5
— Ryan Daniels (@FootyRhino) March 15, 2024
Former Gold Coast winger Jeremy Sharp replaces O'Meara while pre-season supplemental selection and ex-Melbourne defender Oscar McDonald has also been named for Sunday's game.
Sharp, who returned home to Perth in the recent AFL Trade Period, has been super impressive during the summer months, showing off his elite aerobic capacity - highlighted by keeping up with Olympian Peter Bol in 3x1km time trials - as well as his silky skills.
Given the departures of both Blake Acres (Carlton) and Liam Henry (St Kilda) over the past two seasons, a vacancy has opened up on the wing, with the 22-year-old ready to grab it with both hands.
"A lot of different emotions right now," Sharp said shortly after finding out he was debuting.
"I will be playing this weekend and I am pretty excited.
"Absolutely stoked (to be debuting in the home state), I can't wait. To see the Purple Army in full force on Sunday will be pretty special.
"I will mainly be playing on the wing, hopefully, provide some run and dash for the boys and then hopefully go up forward and kick a few as well."
Sharp will be joined by fellow recruit Oscar McDonald, who is at his third AFL club.
With stints at both Melbourne and Carlton, the 86-gamer is keen to give
"It's very exciting that I will be playing this weekend," McDonald said.
"It makes (the injuries and delistings) all worthwhile when getting another crack. I have put a lot of effort in, been delisted from my previous club and gone back to state-league footy and find my way back into the AFL.
"Hopefully it's another step in the right direction but more importantly we can put on the outfit that will make the Fremantle fans proud.
"I will be looking to bring good contest to the team. As a key defender, it's important to play on the tall forwards but also the off-field leadership is something I can bring as well.
Draftee Cooper Simpson was brought into the 26-man squad and could be in line for a debut.
Simpson was taken with Pick 35 in last year's draft and has impressed in his first summer at the elite level.
Ruckman Sean Darcy is a notable omission from the squad of 26, with the star ruckman set to be sidelined for 3-4 weeks following an arthroscope on his left knee.ย ย
