Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich will be named to take on Melbourne at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night, but must pass a fitness test later in the week before being a confirmed starter for the AFL match.
Pavlich, who has been struggling with achilles tendon tightness and a corked hamstring, was a late withdrawal from last week’s win over North Melbourne.
Dockers coach Ross Lyon is optimistic Pavlich will be deemed fit to take on the Demons, but a final decision won’t be made until closer to game day.
“He trained on Tuesday … he’s really confident and determined to play,” Lyon said on Thursday.
“There’s a little bit to play out yet but we’ll certainly name him and it’ll be pretty similar to last week I would imagine.
“That achilles he’s managed for the last five years.
“We have a strong plan in place with that and then he had the adductor and corked hamstring.
“Most of that’s settled down.”