Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has all but ruled out Aaron Sandilands for this week's clash with Hawthorn while the Dockers will also consider resting captain Matthew Pavlich for the big clash in Launceston.
After losing to Sydney by nine points last week, the Dockers are currently clinging to fifth spot on the AFL ladder as Carlton and the Swans threaten from below.
Fremantle needs just one more win, however, to virtually guarantee a top-six finish and a home final, but just when they need all hands on deck over the last two games, Harvey says they may consider resting star skipper Pavlich.
If both Sandilands and Pavlich did not play, it would be the first time since Rounds 15 and 16 last year that this has happened. In those two games they lost by 117 and 15 points to Adelaide and Brisbane respectively.
Sandilands is dealing with the painful foot condition plantar fasciitis but Harvey wouldn't completely run the rule through him ahead of training on Wednesday afternoon.
"It'll be unlikely that he'll (Sandilands) play this week," declared Harvey.
"Not at this stage."
And, the coach revealed the match committee were having serious discussions about resting Pavlich for the Hawks' game, ensuring he's cherry ripe for a Round 22 showdown with Carlton at Subiaco that could determine if the Dockers stay at home for the first week in September.
"It's interesting to sit back and listen to the debate and reasons why," Harvey said when asked whether resting Pavlich this week was the right move.
"(It's) something internally we do a lot of as well. We have a look at our management and our player loading. So you know we'll make those decisions in the next 24 hours when the team comes out."
"(But) we've discussed it, yeah," he added.
"Enough to discuss at this particular stage, where we can't give you an answer."
Harvey said there were a number of players that could come into the side including Jay van Berlo and Justin Bollenhagen, who did not play for the Dockers in last week's loss to the Swans.
Rhys Palmer also didn't play last round as he was dropped after having a shocker against the Kangaroos the previous week, Harvey saying the 2008 Rising Star winner would be considered.
However, the club may have hit a roadblock when it comes to selecting dangerous forward Chris Mayne, who returned to action in the WAFL reserves last week after injuring his ankle in Round 11.
Mayne produced a promising performance for the Perth reserves, kicking two goals and gathering 19 disposals, but his game was marred by a late report that's seen him suspended by the WAFL for one week.
Harvey said the club had launched an appeal into the suspension, suggesting the full weight of the Dockers' AFL clout would come to bear on the WAFL tribunal as the club attempt to get him off the ban at a hearing on Thursday night.
"I think the system at the WAFL level should fall into line with the AFL level," declared Harvey. "And, I'm not sure if that's totally the process at this stage."
"For instance, good behaviour, (he) hasn't had anything in the last five years, those sort of things."
"I mean, it's interesting, you can get into the politics of football but if they're contracted to the AFL, then surely they should be judged on that system even though they play at WAFL level."
Regardless of who fronts up for the Dockers against a Hawks side that's just clinging to their position in the eight, Harvey backed his troops to respond to last week's heartbreaking late loss.
"Whatever side we take down there, we all know that Saturday's election day and anything can happen," he said.