Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir reveals that the club is set to call upon young defender Josh Draper to step into the boots of injured captain Alex Pearce.
During the win against Gold Coast, Pearce suffered a fracture in his left forearm that will sideline him for at least three weeks, leaving a big hole in the Dockers' defence.
However, since debuting in Round 2, Draper has looked every bit equipped for the elite level and has featured in 12 games, before being replaced last week by debutant Hugh Davies.
"It's (Draper) probably the obvious option (to replace Pearce)," Longmuir said on Wednesday.
"We haven't discussed it at length yet at selection but he's played (12) games this year."
Longmuir emphatically ruled out Brennan Cox as a replacement for Pearce, saying he's more concerned with the "long-term" than this week after injuring his hamstring in Round 1.
Now, Davies and Draper will be tasked against Sydney's Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey on Saturday, while backup ruckman Hayden McLean will also spend time in the forward line, presenting "a big challenge" for the inexperience Dockers.
"Young key defenders, when you come into the comp, you don't get any easy rides. You're usually playing your role which means you're playing on good tall forwards," ย Longmuir continued.
SEE MORE: Dockers midfielder Andrew Brayshaw in doubt for Swans clash
"There's plenty we can do to help them out... we're a team defence. We try not to get too many one-on-ones but there'll be times when they just need to go get it done as well."
A big part of hindering Sydney's scoring prowess is putting a stop to their prime movers, with Errol Gulden, Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner playing a big part in the club's surge to the top of the ladder.
The trio have dominated so far in 2024 and all sit within the top eight players in the AFLCA coaches votes following Round 15.
Longmuir acknowledged that it is not just the goal kicking midfielders that are a worry but recognised stopped their influence can go a long way to causing an upset at the SCG.
"We'll put a bit of time into their midfield," Longmuir admitted.
"Every team presents its challenges and clearly this team presents more than others with personnel and system.
"I think 'Sharpy's' a decent match-up (for Gulden). Last time we played, he had a good game against Sydney and Gulden on his wing.
"But we'll have a chat on whether it's Gulden, whether it's Heeney, Rowbottom, or Warner, or Papley.
"We'll put a bit of time into one or two of them."
