Fremantle assistant coach Peter German has thrown his weight behind 20-year-old on-baller Garrick Ibbotson as the Dockers look to inject their ageing midfield with a dose of youthful enthusiasm ahead of Saturday's clash with Hawthorn at Subiaco Oval.
The Dockers opted for experience over youth in their 26-point loss to Collingwood in round one, and German admitted a rethink may be in order ahead of the club's crucial clash against the white-hot Hawks.
And with Heath Black (concussion) almost certain to miss the Hawthorn clash along with Dean Solomon (suspended), the likes of youngsters Ibbotson, Rhys Palmer, Clayton Hinkley and Chris Mayne are leading the pack for a senior berth.
"I think Ibbotson is in front of all three. He was one player very close to getting a game on the weekend," German said.
"I think you'll see him in the side sooner rather than later. I've got no doubt we'll bring in some young players in the next couple of weeks."
Ibbotson, taken with pick No. 26 in the 2005 national draft, broke through for just one game last year, tallying seven touches and one goal against Richmond in round 11.
Young ruckman Robert Warnock, who had a limited pre-season but gathered 19 touches and 21-hit-outs for WAFL side West Perth on Saturday, is also in line for a recall.
German said Black, who suffered a mysterious concussion against the Pies after a first-quarter incident not caught on tape, had no memory of the hit and was still struggling to recover.
"We're still unsure what happened there. He was in a pretty ordinary way over the weekend. I very much doubt he'll play this week," German said.
And to compound matters, Solomon has been charged by the AFL match review panel with a level one rough conduct offence against Collingwood's Shane Wakelin.
Due to Solomon's previous poor record and existing carry-over points, the penalty was increased to a two-match suspension, although the former Bomber enforcer can accept a one-match ban with an early plea.
German defended the selections of ageing midfielders Shaun McManus, Matthew Carr and recruit Mark Johnson against the Pies.
"We probably just got overrun a little bit at the end of the game. From our point of view that was the most disappointing aspect. I don't think that had anything to do with selection," he said.
"With our midfield, we know it hasn't got great leg speed but we still think we can move the ball well and we did at times on the weekend."
"History will tell you that experienced sides are usually the better travelling sides. I don't think any of the senior players really let us down."