Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says he is still able to put out a very strong side for the round-one clash against Adelaide despite missing three key players.
The Dockers are priced at 8/5 to finish in the top eight of the AFL this season and will be looking to get off to a strong start against the Crows.
Star trio missing
However they will be without skipper Nat Fyfe (knee and back), star ruckman Sean Darcy (calf) and leading goalkicker Matt Taberner (hamstring) at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Even so they are boosted by the return of Darcy Tucker, while Lloyd Meek can replace Darcy in the ruck. Josh Treacy will play forward and Lonmuir is happy with the side that will take to the park.
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"We've picked a really strong team across the board, and I feel like missing those three is a great opportunity for other guys who deserve the opportunity," Longmuir said.
"It's definitely not papering over things. Players were picked deserving of their opportunity and have had great pre-seasons. I've got full faith in them being able to execute their role, we're going in really confident."
Tucker tipped to shine
Tucker was impressing in pre-season before he picked up a hamstring injury and Longmuir is tipping him to shine against the Crows.
"He's been one of our best performers and that stems from the moment they went on holidays last year and he didn't have a session off," Longmuir added.
"He was one of our best trainers up until he had that mishap with the hammy. We'll back that in, get him back in the team, and he gives us a good mix of inside and out in the midfield."
