Fremantle could unleash their fourth debutant of the season - and quickest of the lot - against Brisbane at the Gabba on Sunday.

Coach Justin Longmuir confirmed first-year pocket rocket Joel Western was in the mix to make his AFL debut on the back of some strong form in the twos.

The 174cm midfielder/forward is averaging 18 possessions, five marks and 1.5 goals across the first four games of the WAFL season for Peel Thunder.

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The Claremont product had his best game of the year in the Thunder’s thrashing of West Coast reserves in Mandurah on Sunday, amassing 26 disposals, 10 marks and a goal.

“We’ll have selection later but he’s in the mix,” Longmuir told reporters.

“His form in the WAFL has been gradually building to some really good performances, so we’ll just have to weigh that up.

“We’ve been pretty happy with the forward-line function as it sits, there’s probably other areas on the ground that are of more concern at this stage but he’s in the mix.”

The 18-year-old Next Generation Academy graduate was taken with pick 54 in last year’s national draft after Fremantle opted to match the Western Bulldogs’ bid for him.

Likened to Richmond premiership star Shai Bolton because of his pace and penetrating kick, Western was the only uncapped player in the travelling squad of 30.

Longmuir felt Western had “some weapons that would translate to AFL footy” that he’d been showcasing in the WAFL.

“He’s got electric pace, I think he’s improved his ground ball, contest and pressure but his strengths are what’s going to make him a good AFL player and he’s been putting them on show in the WAFL,” he said.

If he plays, Western will become the fourth Docker debutant of the season after ruckman Lloyd Meek (round one), defender Heath Chapman (round two) and forward Josh Treacy (round four).

Longmuir also confirmed that Doig medallist Luke Ryan was only a 50-50 chance of returning against the Lions after missing Sunday’s derby loss to West Coast with a calf issue.

He said defender Alex Pearce (knee) was still “a couple of weeks away” but young midfielder Adam Cerra could return next week against Essendon at Marvel Stadium.

“We’re pretty confident ‘Cez’ will be right for next week,” Longmuir said.

“Alex is probably a couple weeks away. Unfortunately we’ve got a bye in the WAFL next week, which might set him back an extra week.

“He’s tracking really well. He’ll do some training today.”

Longmuir also explained why rookie forward Josh Treacy was overlooked for Fremantle’s 30-player travelling party, despite a five-goal haul in the WAFL last weekend.

Treacy played three consecutive games in the AFL from his round four debut against Hawthorn before getting dropped.

The Dockers’ WAFL affiliate Peel takes on Perth at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday before the competition bye for the annual State clash against South Australia the following week.

“It’s mainly around him missing a lot of footy at the start of the year through suspension and he’s got some things with his forward craft that he can really work on this week,” Longmuir said.

“With the way the (WAFL) fixture is, leading into next week we’ve got a bye, so if he was to travel he’d miss two games of footy and he’s already missed a lot of footy.”