Ross Lyon praises deep Dockers in AFL

Fremantle have decided to take a cautious approach with Luke McPharlin, resting the star defender for a second straight week.

Zac Dawson.

Fremantle's Zac Dawson will miss another week of play due to his groin injury. (AAP)

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon knows he'll have to dig deep into his reserves this season if his team are to taste premiership glory - and he likes what's waiting in the well.

The Dockers are favourites to win this year's flag after moving two wins clear on top of the AFL table.

The absence of star tagger Ryan Crowley and long-term injuries to defenders Zac Dawson and Alex Silvagni haven't dented Fremantle's form.

And with the likes of Tendai Mzungu, Hayden Crozier, Tom Sheridan, Connor Blakely, Matt de Boer, and Brady Grey banging down at the selection door, Lyon has plenty of options at his disposal.

Although those players have struggled to break into Fremantle's star-studded line-up this season, Lyon says they'll play a crucial role in the club's bid to win the flag.

Sheridan gets his chance to shine this week after replacing de Boer for Sunday's clash with the Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

"As night follows day, (injuries) will come," Lyon said on Friday.

"Premierships and great campaigns are won by about 30, 32 players - bona fides. You can't get it done with 22."

Veteran defender Luke McPharlin has been ruled out for a second straight week because of calf soreness, meaning recent debutant Alex Pearce keeps his spot in the side.

And Dawson's return from a long-term groin injury has been put on hold for at least another week.

Dawson was set to return via the WAFL this weekend, but those plans have been put on ice after he experienced some minor soreness in an "unrelated spot" during the week.

Fremantle are enjoying their best ever start to an AFL season, but Lyon is taking nothing for granted..

And he speaks from experience after leading the Saints to 19 straight wins in 2009 before losing the grand final to Geelong.

The Bulldogs coughed up a 55-point lead in last week's loss to St Kilda, and coach Luke Beveridge has reacted by axing Jack Macrae, Nathan Hrovat, and Lukas Webb.

Clay Smith (knee) also comes out of the side, with Matthew Boyd, Mitch Wallis, Lin Jong, and Bailey Dale recalled.


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Source: AAP


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