Forward Matt Taberner has joined ruckman Sean Darcy on Fremantle's injury list as coach Justin Longmuir urges his team not to be spooked heading into Saturday's clash with Geelong.
Taberner is set to miss the next two weeks after injuring his hamstring in Saturday's 35-point AFL win over Carlton.
High-flying Fremantle already knew they would be without Darcy (concussion) for this week's trip to the Cattery, but Taberner's setback was only confirmed in recent days.
"It was a bit of a different one," Longmuir said.
"It (the injury) was the middle of the third quarter, so that's why it was a little bit strange and we had to do a bit of investigation over the last couple of days as to whether it was a knock or a strain.
"He managed to finish the game and kicked that goal in the last quarter. He's going to miss the next probably couple of weeks."
Taberner missed the first two rounds of the season with a hamstring injury, but he showcased his star power with a seven-goal haul against Essendon a fortnight ago
Spearhead Josh Treacy booted four goals in the WAFL over the weekend, but Longmuir was tight-lipped as to who would come in for Taberner.
Ruckman Lloyd Meek will replace Darcy, while defenders Heath Chapman and Hayden Young will be put through their paces in a separate session on Wednesday afternoon when they are released from COVID-19 protocols.
Star Geelong midfielder Patrick Dangerfield missed last week's win over North Melbourne with a calf injury, but he's a chance to return against the Dockers.
Longmuir has overseen two disappointing losses to Geelong during his tenure as Fremantle coach.
In 2020, Fremantle kicked 2.4 (16) and were held goalless until late in the third quarter in a 32-point home defeat to Geelong in a rain-soaked clash in Perth.
Last year in a Thursday night clash at Optus Stadium, Fremantle booted a wasteful 3.13 (31) in a 69-point defeat to the Cats.
The second-placed Dockers are riding high this season with a 5-1 record, and Longmuir wants to see his team go toe to toe with Geelong in the pressure and contested stakes.
"I think they've been too big and too strong for us at times," Longmuir said.
"We've put a lot of work into our fitness and a lot of work in the gym over the pre-season.
"Hopefully we can measure up in that sense, which I'm really confident we can.
"The other thing is we've just been spooked at times and gone away from our footy.
"Whether we win or lose, we just want to come off the ground at the end of the game and say we played our way."
