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Fremantle team news: Oscar McDonald makes way for Luke Jackson’s return for St Kilda clash

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Jackson BarrettThe West Australian
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VideoClayton Oliver is set to miss the game on the weekend due to personal reasons.

Fremantle has confirmed Luke Jackson will return from a hamstring injury in Friday night’s clash with St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.

And forward Oscar McDonald – who played their past two matches as a back-up ruck – has made way.

The ruck swap is the only change Fremantle has made for their clash with the Saints, meaning Quinton Narkle is likely to be the substitute for the second time in as many matches for the Dockers.

Jackson missed clashes with Richmond, Melbourne and Adelaide across the past month with the injury, but his absence coincided with the return of No.1 ruck Sean Darcy.

It will be the first time the pair have played alongside each other this season.

McDonald – who was injured in his first and only game for Fremantle last season – has been swung from defence to attack this year and kicked three goals across his two matches while supporting Darcy in the middle.

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The former Melbourne and Carlton player travelled to Victoria with the Dockers.

Oscar McDonald is unlucky to be dropped.
Camera IconOscar McDonald is unlucky to be dropped. Credit: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images

St Kilda has named speedy midfielder Mattaes Phillipou for his first game of the year. The 20-year-old has recovered from a stress fracture in his femur and overcame an injury scare at training this week, where he limped off the track with a cork on Wednesday.

The Saints confirmed on Wednesday West Australian youngster Hugh Boxshall will make his debut.

Zak Jones has fallen victim to the Saints’ poor midfield showing against Brisbane on Saturday, while Mason Wood has a concussion and Isaac Keeler has also been dropped.

Irish defender Liam O’Connell will return.

FREMANTLE TEAM

B: L Ryan A Pearce B Cox

HF: K Worner J Draper J Clark

C: J Sharp H Young M Johnson

HF: M Frederick S Switkowski S Bolton

F: L Jackson J Treacy J Amiss

FOLL: S Darcy C Serong A Brayshaw

I/C: I Dudley M Reid C Wagner H Chapman Q Narkle

EMG: O McDonald L Reidy N Erasmus

IN: L Jackson

OUT: O McDonald (omitted)

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