Emerging young defender Luke Foley has joined three returning premiership players on the list of inclusions for Sunday’s RAC Derby LIII at Optus Stadium.

Foley, who has played four games this season, has been elevated with captain Luke Shuey, key defender Tom Barrass and livewire forward Liam Ryan as the club prepares for one of the most pivotal matches in history against crosstown rivals, Fremantle.

Winning is vital to the chances of both teams pushing on to play finals.

While former captain Shannon Hurn was ruled out with a hamstring injury, experienced midfielder Mark Hutchings, young defender Harry Edwards, small forward Zac Langdon and first-year midfielder Connor West have been dropped.

Hutchings, Edwards, Langdon and forward Jake Waterman remain in the mix for the medical substitute position as they have been listed as emergencies.