Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says Sydney’s star-studded midfield will present his team a huge challenge in Saturday night’s AFL preliminary final at Patersons Stadium.

The Swans had three midfielders named in this year’s All-Australian side, with Jarrad McVeigh, Kieren Jack and Daniel Hannebery all making the final squad.

Fremantle midfielders Nat Fyfe and David Mundy missed out on a berth, but defender Michael Johnson was named.

Lyon predicts Saturday night’s encounter will be won and lost in the midfield.

“You protect your defence and give your forwards supply,” Lyon said on Tuesday.

“I don’t think they’ve got too many injuries through the midfield. In actual fact, I think they’ve got none.

“So it’s an incredibly big challenge, one we’re excited about and one we’re looking forward to. But it’s going to be a big challenge.”

Johnson, who missed the qualifying win over Geelong with a calf injury, was restricted to light duties at training on Tuesday.

But Lyon is confident both Johnson and Nick Suban (ankle) will be fit to play.

However, the news isn’t so good for Garrick Ibbotson, who has been ruled out due to his lingering Achilles tendon injury.