Two-time Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe will miss Fremantle's elimination final against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday through injury.
The Dockers captain suffered a hamstring injury in training.
In a statement, Fremantle said the club was still hopeful the 30-year-old could play again this season.
The injury is in the right hamstring, the opposite leg to the injury Fyfe sustained in Fremantle's round 19 draw against Richmond.
That injury saw him sidelined for three games before he returned in the club's round 23 win over GWS.
Dockers football manager Peter Bell said a timeline had not been placed on Fyfe's return.
"These hamstring strain injuries are very much a case-by-case basis for each individual," Bell said.
"We won't have a timeline just yet on Nathan's return, but we are hopeful that we will see him feature at some point in the upcoming finals series."
The absence of the Dockers skipper is undoubtedly a blow for Fremantle, as it heads into its first finals campaign in seven years.
But Fremantle's form this year without the champion has been excellent.
Of the 15 games Fyfe has missed in season 2022, the Dockers have lost just four.
In the seven matches he has played, Fremantle has lost two and drawn one.
