Fremantle coach Ross Lyon will consider switching either Chris Mayne or Matt Taberner to defence in order to fill the void left by injured backman Michael Johnson.

Johnson will miss the entire AFL finals series due to a back injury that requires surgery.

The 29-year-old’s absence comes at a particularly bad time for the Dockers, who will also be without All-Australian Luke McPharlin for Saturday’s qualifying final against Sydney at ANZ Stadium.

The Swans are set to unleash a monster forward line featuring Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett, Adam Goodes and Sam Reid.

Fremantle will recall Alex Silvagni to give fellow key backman Zac Dawson a helping hand, and Lyon is contemplating taking either Mayne or Taberner out of attack in order to quell Sydney’s leftover bigs.

Mayne performed admirably when switched to defence earlier this season, but Taberner has struggled in the role previously.

Lyon said he would weigh up his options this week before making a call.

Showers are forecast for Saturday’s game – a situation that could end up favouring Fremantle given Sydney’s tall forward line.

“You’re going to want to catch it, because we’re going to be running,” Lyon told Perth radio station 6PR.

“We do play well in the wet. It doesn’t faze us at all. Our game style stands up.”

The Dockers will be bolstered by the return of star midfielder Nat Fyfe from suspension, while Sydney will welcome back Franklin, Josh Kennedy, Ben McGlynn and Mike Pyke.