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Fremantle Dockers go unchanged as Adelaide Crows bring back big guns for Good Friday blockbuster

Headshot of Mitchell Woodcock
Mitchell WoodcockThe West Australian
VideoCarlton Football Club has recorded five staph infection cases among players in the last 12 to 18 months, with Cooper Lord being the most recent and serious case requiring four nights in hospital and surgery.

Fremantle will go into their crucial clash against Adelaide unchanged as the Crows welcomed back skipper Jordan Dawson for the Friday night blockbuster at Adelaide Oval.

The Dockers have stuck with the same 23 that beat Richmond by 60 points last week, with Nathan O’Driscoll and Bailey Banfield the travelling emergencies.

Former Collingwood ruckman Mason Cox was also named as an emergencies but didn’t travel.

He is set to make his WAFL league debut for Peel Thunder instead when they take on East Fremantle down in Mandurah on Good Friday.

Forwards Darcy Fogarty and Riley Thilthorpe have both been named for the home side, despite not finishing the Captain’s run at West Lakes on Friday morning.

Fogarty was having work done to his back, while Thilthorpe sent a scare through the camp when he left the training track early.

The Game NRL 2026

Adelaide have made four changes from the side that was beaten by Geelong last week, welcoming back Dawson, veteran spearhead Taylor Walker as well as ruckman Reilly O’Brien and defender Jordan Borlase.

Taylor Walker of the Crows celebrates a goal
Camera IconTaylor Walker of the Crows celebrates a goal Credit: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Key back Jordan Butts will miss with a concussion, while Luke Nankervis, Finnbar Maley, and Chayce Jones have been dropped.

O’Brien and Borlase will play their first games of the season, with the former to pair with fellow ruckman Lachlan McAndrew to take on Fremantle duo Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson.

Dawson returns from a calf injury, while Walker was managed for the game against the Cats down at GMHBA Stadium last week.

Meanwhile, running defender Rory Laird has not been made available as he continues to battle a minor soleus strain.

ADELAIDE v FREMANTLE

Friday, Adelaide Oval, 4.15pm

CROWS

B: J Borlase N Murray M Michalanney

HB: H Bond J Worrell W Milera

C: I Rankine J Dawson I Cumming

HF: B Keays T Walker L Pedlar

F: J Soligo R Thilthorpe D Fogarty

FOLL: L McAndrew S Berry J Rachele

I/C: R O’Brien A Neal-Bullen J Peatling B Cook Z Taylor

EMG: F Maley C Jones L Nankervis

IN: J Borlase J Dawson T Walker R O’Brien

OUT: J Butts (concussion) C Jones L Nankervis F Maley (all omitted)

DOCKERS

B: B Cox A Pearce H Chapman

HB: J Clark L Ryan J McVee

C: J O’Meara A Brayshaw M Johnson

HF: S Bolton P Voss S Switkowski

F: J Amiss J Treacy M Reid

FOLL: S Darcy L Jackson C Serong

I/C: C Scerri I Dudley N Erasmus C Wagner K Worner

EMG: M Cox B Banfield N O’Driscoll

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