Jonathon Griffin looks likely to make his Fremantle debut against St Kilda this weekend, although he faces the unenviable task of following in Aaron Sandilands' gigantic footsteps.
Dockers coach Mark Harvey said it would be a tough call deciding whether to play former Adelaide ruckman Griffin or youngster Zach Clarke as Sandilands' replacement after the 211cm giant suffered a toe injury that will keep him out for a month.
Harvey, though, hinted that 25-year-old Griffin may get the nod.
"Zach probably missed a month through a groin injury, so he's only played the last two weeks," Harvey said on Wednesday morning.
"Griffin, we took to Adelaide with us and he was very close."
"He's had more experience at AFL level, so that probably counts for a little bit."
The Dockers have lost the past five matches they've played without Sandilands - six if you include the fact he could barely walk in the semi-final against Geelong last year.
Harvey, though, said recruiting Griffin hadn't just been a mater of having a replacement available for situations like this, the coach saying the former East Fremantle player wanted to return to Perth for family reasons as well.
However, while losing Sandilands is a massive blow, Harvey believes his injury-hit side can overcome it against the Saints on Saturday.
"Individually, Aaron's probably got better over the last couple of years, but I think the team's more equipped (to play without him)," Harvey said.
The coach admitted, though, that his midfield would need some extra work.
"It changes a few things," Harvey said. "Firstly it changes their (the midfield's) observation of where the ball's going to be hit, or where they think it's going to be hit."
"So they need to concentrate a little bit more on the opposition ruckman and watch the ball-up or the throw-in a little more closer than they normally would, rather than just expect it going to be put in a certain position."
"So that certainly changes that mind set."
Harvey also said midfielder Michael Barlow had recovered enough from his horrific broken leg last year to participate in a full training session on Wednesday evening ahead of playing in the WAFL on Saturday week.
But Harvey said the 23-year-old would not be rushed in any way.
"We've been talking about that within the coaching group and the fitness group so we'll just see how he comes up after a week-and-a-half of full training," Harvey said.
"We'll just ease him in though."
"He's going to need at least three or four or five weeks and we'll be able to tell by the way he's playing as to how long that either takes for him to get back in the team, or whether we need to play him longer at WAFL level."