Dockers draftee set for debut

FREMANTLE’S top draft pick last year, Neil Erasmus, will make his AFL debut in Sunday’s Western Derby.

Covid-impacted Dockers coach Justin Longmuir broke the news on Thursday afternoon to the No.10 selection, a 190cm midfielder-forward from Subiaco.

Erasmus (pictured) will become Fremantle’s second debutant in as many weeks behind Nathan O’Driscoll.

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Western Australian club has to submit its squad until Saturday afternoon because of the coronavirus situation in the state, which has particularly ravaged the Eagles in the past fortnight.

Willie Rioli and captain Luke Shuey are the latest West Coast players to enter the AFL’s health and safety protocols after Adam Simpson’s side made 14 changes from round 1 to last week.

The Dockers confirmed a day early that Erasmus would play his first senior game after being a travelling emergency in the club’s season-opening win over Adelaide.