The loss of key defender Luke McPharlin is a huge blow for Fremantle as they prepare for a tough assignment against Adelaide on Saturday afternoon at AAMI Stadium.
Fremantle have won their last five games which includes a 65 point dismantling of the West Coast Eagles in the Western Derby last weekend.
McPharlin was suspended for one week for an incident with West Coast’s Jack Darling.
Either Alex Silvagni or Peter Faulks are expected to come into the team and fill the gap left by McPharlin. Faulks is yet to play an AFL game in 2012 but has been a WAFL standout this season.
Adelaide is coming off the back of a four point win against a spirited Essendon team and could welcome back key forward Kurt Tippet for Saturday’s match.
The Crows forward line could pose huge problems for Fremantle, especially without McPharlin, who has been in All Australian form.
Zac Dawson will likely be faced with the task of containing Tippet.
Adelaide will be relying on their midfield, in particular Brownlow Medal fancy Patrick Dangerfield, to halt the opportunities Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich has to further his Coleman Medal lead.
The Dockers went inside-50 20 more time than West Coast last week in what was an assault on the Eagles midfield.
Pavlich had eight majors last week in the wet and has kicked 43 goals in his past nine games.
Fremantle will need another big effort from the captain if they are to come away with the points.
The last time these teams met was back in round 10 at Paterson Stadium, where the Crows ran out 29 point winners after giving up a five goal lead and allowing Fremantle to hit the front early in the last quarter.
The Dockers, who are currently tied with North Melbourne and Essendon on 44 points, sit just outside the top eight in ninth spot on percentage.
The Bombers and Kangaroos meet on Sunday which will mean Fremantle will enter the top eight with a win over the Crows.
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