Fremantle will take on reigning premiers Adelaide in a pre-season clash between two finalists from the 2019 season on Saturday at David Grays Arena.

The game is free entry and commences at 4pm. For those who can’t make it to the clash, it will be streamed live on fremantlefc.com.au from 3:50pm.

With Adelaide setting the benchmark in 2019, Fremantle will use the game to gauge their pre-season preparations after faltering at the pre-liminary final stage.

Both teams have named close to their best available line-ups, while there are some notable absentees from both sides.

It will be the first hit-out of the year for a number of Freo’s best players, including captain Kara Antonio, Kiara Bowers, Ebony Antonio, Hayley Miller and Stephanie Cain.

After kicking four goals in a hit-out against West Coast last week, forward Sabreena Duffy will miss the game due to a minor toe injury, while Freo defender Alex Williams (ACL) is expected to return in the second half of the season.

Star Crows Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall won’t feature in the clash in Mandurah.

Phillips, the two-time AFLW League best and fairest winner, is expected to feature strongly in 2020 in her comeback from an ACL injury, while Crows co-captain Randall has been ruled out for the season.

Fremantle senior coach Trent Cooper said the players are looking forward to the challenge of facing the reigning premiers.

“It’s a really good opportunity for us to see exactly where we’re at,” Cooper said.

“They’ve obviously got a few high profile injuries but they’ve got some really good players across the line with Sarah Allen down back and then Anne Hatchard, Ebony Marinoff and Jess Foley as their ruck.

“It makes them a formidable opponent even without two of their star players.”

Cooper said he was pleased with Fremantle’s availability so close to the season.

“Our pre-season has gone really well with the exception of the unfortunate workplace incident with Ann McMahon,” Cooper said.

“We’re really pleased with the squad we’re putting out there on Saturday. As there is an extended bench of 24, not all of our players will be on full games, just to make sure that they’re cherry ripe for round one, but it will be a really good chance for our team to gel together before that game.

“Sabreena stubbed her toe at the club and if this was round one she’d definitely play, but the medical advice was that she will get over it quicker if she doesn’t.”

While Fremantle will play their four home games at their traditional home of Fremantle Oval, Cooper said he was pleased to take a pre-season AFLW game to Mandurah.

“We obviously have the WAFL alignment with Peel but in terms of AFLW, Peel have been a massive supporter of female football in general,” Cooper said.

“It’s a really big growth area down there and there’s only been a handful AFLW players coming through, including our players Sabreena Duffy, Tayla Bresland and Katie-Jayne Grieve, but I think over the next five to 10 years there will be a lot more come from that area.

“We’re expecting quite a good sized crowd to come out and support the game, so we’re really looking forward to getting down there.”