With an upcoming derby on Sunday against the West Coast Eagles, the Fremantle Dockers will give top-10 draftee Neil Erasmus a debut on one of the biggest stages in the league.
The 18-year-old was among the best for Peel Thunder against the Perth Demons last weekend, with Fremantle head coach Justin Longmuir revealing the news to Erasmus over the phone after being required to isolate.
Erasmus went number 10 in last year's draft with Fremantle's second pick, playing as an inside midfielder with the ability to go forward and impact the scoreboard. Erasmus is an exciting versatile prospect with good footy smarts and the ability to mark overhead.
The club have now confirmed the local product will feature against the Eagles on Sunday at Optus Stadium.
See Also: 2021 Draft Profile - Neil Erasmusย
Raz is IN ๐คฉ #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/0Yp6x70dNB
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) April 1, 2022
Erasmus' inclusion comes after key outs and impressive performances in the WAFL in recent weeks.
โItโs not really the way I wanted to do this, but I need to let you know you are going to make your debut this week,โ Longmuir told Erasmus, per the club's website.
โYou have just kept on banging the door down, like I have said to you many times, I just love your toughness and competitiveness and your work rate.
โThe thing that has really impressed me over the last three to four weeks is that drive to constantly improve.
โYou really deserve this opportunity, you have earnt it and Iโm really excited for you.โ
With the loss of players including star midfielder Nat Fyfe (back), Nathan Wilson (shoulder) and David Mundy (health and safety protocols), an opening for Erasmus has emerged.
Defender Brennan Cox is set to return after undergoing isolation for this week's clash with West Coast, while injury clouds hover ruckman Sean Darcy and veteran Michael Walters.
The Dockers will clash with West Coast at 6:20 pm AEDT on Sunday night, with Fremantle hopeful of returning to winning ways.
