Fremantle have made a bombshell selection call on the eve of the qualifying final against Hawthorn with dashing defender Brandon Walker set to play his first game since round one.

The 23-year-old’s surprise recall comes as the Dockers look to combat All-Australian small forward Nick Watson, who looms as a potential match-winner for the Hawks at Optus Stadium on Thursday night.

Walker has not played senior football since the club’s season-opening loss to Geelong. After being a late withdrawal due to injury in round two, he failed to break back into the AFL side, playing 12 games for WAFL side Peel Thunder in 2026.

Judd McVee, who handled the bulk of the work against Watson back in round nine, has been dropped for the second time in three games as the Dockers made five changes.

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir admitted Watson, who has kicked 55 goals this season, was a “unique match-up” with blistering break-away pace and an aerial ability that defies his 170cm stature.

“He goes into the midfield at times and flips forward out of there as well, and clearly he’s got some good speed,” Longmuir said of the 21-year-old.

“So not only do you need someone with a bit of speed, but you need someone with really good positioning to stop him getting goal side.”

All-Australian Murphy Reid returns following a groin injury, while versatile defender Heath Chapman, star forward Jye Amiss and the retiring Sam Switkowski join Walker as inclusions after being rested for the final game of the home and away season against Carlton.

McVee, veteran Bailey Banfield, mature draftee Tobyn Murray, small forward Chris Scerri come out of the side, while key back Brennan Cox is also sidelined with a calf injury.

Scerri, Corey Wagner and Hugh Davies are the named emergencies for the minor premiers.

The Hawks will welcome back forward Jack Ginnivan, who was managed for their trip to Perth only 11 days ago in their victory against West Coast with back soreness. Jack Dalton has been omitted.

Dalton, Noah Mraz and Max Ramsden are the emergencies.

A sold-out crowd is set to descend on the Burswood venue with a capacity crowd of about 60,000 to be joined by millions around the country watching live and free on 7 and 7Plus.

Fremantle v Hawthorn

Thursday, Optus Stadium, 6.10pm

DOCKERS

B: J Clark A Pearce O McDonald

HB: K Worner L Ryan H Chapman

C: M Johnson A Brayshaw N Erasmus

HF: M Frederick S Bolton S Switkowski

F: J Amiss J Treacy P Voss

FOLL: L Jackson C Serong H Young

I/C: B Walker N O’Driscoll I Dudley M Reid M Cox

EMG: H Davies C Scerri C Wagner

IN: H Chapman S Switkowski J Amiss B Walker M Reid

OUT: B Cox (calf) J McVee (omitted) T Murray (omitted) B Banfield (omitted) C Scerri (omitted)

HAWKS

B: J Sicily T Barrass B Hardwick

HB: J Weddle B Macdonald J Battle

C: J Impey W Day M D’Ambrosio

HF: D Moore M Chol C Macdonald

F: N Watson M Lewis J Guntson

FOLL: L Meek J Newcombe C Mackenzie

I/C: K Amon H Morrison J Ward J Ginnivan M Beattie

EMG: M Ramsden N Mraz J Dalton

IN: J Ginnivan

OUT: J Dalton (omitted)