Brownlow medal favourite Nathan Fyfe is on crutches and Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich is in a moon boot – but Dockers fans shouldn’t be worried.

The rumour mill was buzzing on Monday when Fyfe was pictured at a cafe on crutches.

The 23-year-old has battled inflammation in his left leg in recent weeks – a condition known as periostitis that will be need to be managed for the rest of the finals series.

But coach Ross Lyon was quick to hose down any injury fears, with Fyfe considered a certainty to play in next week’s preliminary final against either Hawthorn or Adelaide in Perth.

“He’s pulled up exceptionally well. It’s just a precaution,” Lyon told Perth radio station 6PR.

“He was all smiles.

“People are going to walk around taking photos all week.

“But if it was anything of a worry, he would be up on the couch with the curtains drawn. He’s in really good shape. He’ll train this week.”

Pavlich has battled Achilles tendon soreness in recent weeks, and had a big ice pack on his left heel after last week’s qualifying final win over Sydney.

Lyon said the 334-game veteran was simply using the moon boot to immobolise his foot in order to speed up recovery.

The Dockers need both Fyfe and Pavlich firing if they are to break their premiership drought.

Although Pavlich was held goalless against the Swans, his presence was critical to Fremantle’s structure, especially after fellow spearhead Matt Taberner was withdrawn before the match because of forecast rain.

Taberner booted five goals for WAFL side Peel Thunder on Sunday, boosting his chances of returning for next week’s preliminary final.

But tagger Ryan Crowley is almost certain to be overlooked.

Crowley’s 12-month ban for doping expires on September 5, but his lack of match practice will count heavily against him.

“The odds are against him I would have thought. But never say never,” Lyon said.