Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir will find Michael Walters a new role that offers him more space after the veteran's struggles in the forward line this year.
Walters is in doubt for Sunday's western derby against West Coast after injuring his hand in last week's 10-point loss to St Kilda.
Scans have cleared Walters of a bone break but Longmuir said: "He's definitely got something going on there, so we'll just have to see how it functions."
Walters has tallied 15 disposals and one goal across the opening two rounds.
It followed on from a lean 2021 in which Walters struggled as a forward.
Walters' finest year came in his All-Australian campaign of 2019, when he averaged 21.8 disposals per game to go with his 40 goals in a season where he spent large stints playing in the midfield.
Longmuir feels the time is right to find a new role for Walters.
"I definitely agree with the fact that we need to find him some space," Longmuir said.
"He's still drawing the oppo's best defender and most reactive defender, so we need to look at ways to get him into the game."
Veteran midfielder David Mundy will miss a second straight game due to COVID-19 protocols, while skipper Nat Fyfe will miss about six more weeks after undergoing back surgery.
Ruckman Sean Darcy, who injured his ankle last week, faces a race against time to prove his fitness.
It means the Dockers could be without their three most critical players in the midfield.
Fremantle copped a 14-4 thumping in the centre clearances during last week's 10-point loss to St Kilda, and Longmuir is demanding an improved effort.
He said the absence of Fyfe and Mundy couldn't justify just how poor Fremantle were last week.
"They're not only two great players, they're great leaders, and we possibly felt that hole of missing both of them last week," Longmuir said.
"But that's no excuse, we need to step up. We need to be a better connected midfield who do it together.
"There were too many individual battles on the weekend, and that's not the way we want to play our footy.
"Our players are really keen and hungry ... to right the wrong of what happened last weekend.
Defender Brennan Cox is a strong chance to return from his seven-day stint in COVID-19 protocols, while Matt Taberner (hamstring) and Josh Treacy (ankle) are also in the selection mix.
Both Fremantle and West Coast have been given until 5.30pm AEDT on Saturday to name their final teams due to the COVID-19 outbreak that ravaged the Eagles last week.
West Coast made a staggering 14 team changes before their loss to North Melbourne, with 12 of those forced by the AFL's health and safety protocols.
