Gun Fremantle recruit Jesse Hogan could be tasked with playing on in-form GWS full forward Jeremy Cameron as the Dockers await concussion results on regular key defender Joel Hamling.
Hamling remains in doubt to for Saturday's AFL clash in Canberra after taking a head knock during the Dockers' last-up loss to the West Coast Eagles.
That leaves Fremantle short on key defensive options against a firing Giants forward-line led by Cameron who is leading the Coleman Medal race with 17 goals from three matches.
While Fremantle coach Ross Lyon confirmed that captain Nat Fyfe will return from his own battle with concussion to play the Giants, he remains unsure on the status of Hamling.
"Full-backs are hard to find and he's (Hamling) in good form and is one of our leaders, and is leading strongly so we'd love for him to be available," Lyon told the media on Wednesday.
"But no risk will be taken. He is really important and we are defending quite well and he is a key pillar down there for us."
Lyon did consider throwing Hogan back on Saturday night against the Eagles, but resisted.
However, with more time to plan for it, he is comfortable with the possibility of it happening on Saturday in Canberra if Hamling doesn't play.
"He has played centre half-back and was a dominant centre half-back coming through at times," Lyon said of Hamling.
"When you've got real extreme football intelligence and capabilities, good players play anywhere and make a fist of it without being specialised. Matthew Pavlich was a great example.
"On the run last week we discussed Jesse going back but we stuck with the undermanned piece because our pressure was good, but he was the one we would have rolled back. It's a serious consideration."
No matter the match ups, Lyon is confident the Dockers will be up for the challenge against a Giants team coming off an upset win in Geelong.
"Obviously Cameron's in superlative form and (Jeremy) Finlayson's down there and they have a few," Lyon said.
"They've structured up and they have Toby Greene so they've got great capacity and we know that. Our effort has been very strong and our contest has been very strong, creating good opportunities where we'd like to be taking them more."
Australian Associated Press
