Kane Cornes has questioned the direction of Ross Lyon’s Fremantle.
The Dockers have struggled over the past few seasons and are at a stage where perhaps turning to youth would be seen as a clever option.
But the team named for Sunday’s JLT Community Series clash with the West Coast Eagles in Joondalup suggests to Kane Cornes that Freo coach Lyon is sticking with his ageing and experienced players rather than promoting youthful exuberance.
“I’m not by any means judging Ross Lyon just yet, it’s more of a ‘watch this space’,” mused Cornes on SEN Mornings.
“Let’s see what happens because remember last year when Ross Lyon elected to play his experience players at the start of the year.
“He didn’t want to go down the rebuild, he wanted to have another crack, albeit I think the clubs instruction was to play some youngsters and go down that rebuild.
“Right now, if you look at their squad taking on West Coast, on the interchange bench is (Andrew) Brayshaw, (Adam) Cerra and Bailey Banfield.
“When you look at who is in the side, this is the rebuilding Fremantle Footy Club remember, you’ve got Michael Johnson - he’s turning 34 this year!
“You’ve got Hayden Ballantyne who honestly, I appreciate his effort, but hasn’t had a kick in two years and he’s turning 31 this year.
“Danyle Pearce. Pearcey’s a great mate of mine but I think even he would understand where he’s at in his career after four years at the Dockers.
“We love Aaron Sandilands and we appreciate for Fremantle to win some games of footy he has to be there but big Sandy’s 36 this year. When are they going to pluck a young ruckman and develop someone else?
“And (David) Mundy, the former captain. He picks himself, because he’s a good player and he plays forward, but he’s turning 33.”
Fremantle’s selection decision prompted Port Adelaide premiership player Cornes to wonder if Lyon is really interested in rebuilding at the Dockers or simply saving face by producing an acceptable number of wins in season 2018.
He added: “If any of those five players that I’ve mentioned are picked ahead of Brayshaw, Cerra or Banfield in Round 1, certainly it’s going to be a ‘watch this space’.
“Is Ross Lyon fully prepared to go the Fremantle rebuild?
“Or is he going back to his old ways where he just wants to win games of footy?
“Thing are not looking all that good for Fremantle with the way their list build is going.”
Fremantle kick off their 2018 campaign against Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday, March 24.