Fremantle coach Ross Lyon predicts it won’t take much longer for his team to get used to playing with star AFL veterans Aaron Sandilands and Matthew Pavlich again.

The Dockers enhanced their chances of snaring a top-two berth with a 113-point win over GWS on Sunday.

Although the 24.13 (157) to 6.8 (44) romp was Fremantle’s biggest ever win, it came with Pavlich and Sandilands having little impact on the match.

Pavlich was held goalless for three quarters before bobbing up for two in the final term, while Sandilands tallied just six possessions and 28 hit-outs in a quiet performance.

The Dockers have become accustomed to playing – and winning – without the pair this year, but Lyon wants his team to make the most of their presence.

“We had a look into the future didn’t we – no Sandilands, no Pavlich, and we were still able to win enough games,” Lyon said.

“So that breeds some confidence. That chemistry will come in time for sure.”

Pavlich has played just six games for the season, with surgery on his plantaris tendon and a three-week suspension limiting his ability to regain top form.

Sunday’s outing was Pavlich’s first game back from suspension, and Lyon was confident the 31-year-old would quickly improve in the lead-up to finals.

“Like Aaron – they’ll just get a bit better and better,” Lyon said.

Dockers midfielder Stephen Hill is expected to return from hamstring tightness for Sunday’s clash with Melbourne at the MCG, while defender Garrick Ibbotson (Achilles soreness) is also in line for a recall.

Goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne was substituted out of Sunday’s win due to hamstring tightness and illness, but the Dockers are hopeful he will also be available to play against Melbourne.

Fremantle are just half a win adrift of second spot, and will start hot favourites in games against Melbourne (MCG), Port Adelaide (Patersons) and St Kilda (ES) in the run home.