Fremantle defender Alex Silvagni has won the race to replace injured backman Luke McPharlin, but the club’s need for speed has cost ruckman Jonathon Griffin his spot for Saturday night’s AFL elimination final against Geelong at the MCG.

The Dockers opted to take a squad of 25 to Melbourne on Thursday, with Matt de Boer, Silvagni, Kepler Bradley, Dylan Roberton, Zac Clarke and Cameron Sutcliffe the inclusions.

De Boer will make his return from an ankle injury, while Silvagni beat out retiring defender Antoni Grover for the spot left vacant by McPharlin, who is set to miss two to three weeks with a hamstring injury.

But the heartbreak story of the day was Griffin’s axing.

The 26-year-old filled in admirably while Sandilands was sidelined by turf toe for 10 weeks this season, and the pair combined successfully in last week’s 61-point win over lowly Melbourne in Perth.

But Griffin’s lack of versatility has cost him his spot, with forward Kepler Bradley likely to be thrust into the 22.

“It is unfortunate for Jon,” Fremantle stoppages coach Mark Stone said before the team flew out of Perth on Thursday.

“But we just think there’s a chance of a shower, and it’s a night game.

“We don’t want to get caught too big, so we’ve gone for a bit more mobility with our selections.”

Silvagni has played just three games this season after falling behind McPharlin, Zac Dawson and Michael Johnson in the defensive pecking order.

The 24-year-old struggled for form in those three outings.

But Stone said the club was full of faith Silvagni could fill a vital role against the Cats, who will have marking targets Tom Hawkins, James Podsiadly, Trent West and Nathan Vardy floating through their forward line.

“They’re big challenges … but we think our key defenders plus our defensive systems can get back and support them as much as we can,” Stone said.

“We know they’re going to have to win some one-on-ones.

“Silvagni’s been playing some really good football at Claremont.

“We think he’s played a number of games for us in the past and come in and done the job and he role asked of him so we think he can do that again.

“He is strong and he can body up and defend that way.”

Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich, who has been battling a series of leg issues in recent weeks, trained on Thursday and is considered a definite starter against Geelong.