Fremantle pre-season signing Isaiah Dudley will get a chance to prove his mettle on the big stage after being named in the must-win elimination final against Gold Coast.

The Dockers have been forced to make two changes for the clash against the first-time finalists at Optus Stadium on Saturday with Sam Switkowski (knee) and Corey Wagner (pectoral) both ruled out because of injury.

Dudley has been recalled for the first time since he was subbed out of the Dockers’ round 22 win over Port Adelaide, while exciting wingman Nathan O’Driscoll has also earned a berth.

Both have been named on the bench alongside retiring dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe who is set to be the sub once again.

Dudley, 22, was picked up by the Dockers through the supplemental selection period pick in early February and kicked two goals on debut in the round three western derby win.

It will be the South Australian’s first final, having kicked 13 goals in 15 games for the Dockers this season to earn a contract extension.

O’Driscoll is back for his first game since he was axed after the Brisbane belting in round 23, rebounding with three goals from 25 touches for Peel Thunder in their final game of the season against Swan Districts.

The hard-running 23-year-old wingman was part of the Dockers’ last premiership campaign in 2022, kicking a goal from 11 touches in their elimination final win over the Western Bulldogs.

Switkowski was ruled out by coach Justin Longmuir before training on Wednesday, having not recovered from a knock to the knee he sustained in their round 24 victory against the Bulldogs to lock down a finals berth.

“He’s not going to play this week. We had hopes early in the week that he’d get up, but the knee injury he sustained late in the game against the Dogs will hold him out, unfortunately,” Longmuir said.

Meanwhile, midfielder Matt Johnson has not been recalled and instead named as an emergency despite being a mainstay in the side for much of the season.

The 22-year-old played the first 18 games of the season before an ankle injury against Collingwood in round 19 halted his year.

Johnson returned in the final round for the Thunder as well but was on limited minutes and was unable to get more gametime in with the WAFL side not featuring in finals.

“He’s still not over that ankle injury 100 per cent, but he’s training well,” Longmuir said earlier in the day.

“The ankle is good, he (Johnston) has played 70 per cent of a WAFL game, and that’s probably where I lean with 100 per cent.

“I would’ve loved to have got another WAFL game into him last week, but unfortunately that didn’t happen.”

Oscar McDonald and defender Brandon Walker have also been named as emergencies.

Gold Coast have made only the one change, with former skipper David Swallow to play his first final in his 248th game.

Second-year Suns speedster Jake Rogers has been omitted after being the sub in the final game of the season against Essendon.

FREMANTLE v GOLD COAST

Saturday, Optus Stadium, 5.35pm

DOCKERS

B: L Ryan B Cox A Pearce

HB: H Chapman K Worner J Clark

C: J O’Meara H Young N Erasmus

HF: S Bolton P Voss M Reid

F: J Amiss J Treacy M Frederick

FOLL: L Jackson C Serong A Brayshaw

I/C: N Fyfe N O’Driscoll I Dudley B Banfield S Darcy

EMG: M Johnson B Walker O McDonald

IN: N O’Driscoll I Dudley

OUT: C Wagner (injured) S Switkowski (injured)

SUNS

B: W Powell B Uwland S Collins

HB: J Noble M Andrew D Rioli

C: L Weller M Rowell B Fiorini

HF: T MIller S Flanders B Humphrey

F: B Long E Read B King

FOLL: J Witts A Davies N Anderson

I/C: B Ainsworth D Swallow C Budarick J Jeffrey J Farrar

EMG: N Moyle J Rogers O Adams

IN: D Swallow

OUT: J Rogers (omitted)