NEW PREMIERSHIP fancies Fremantle sits two games clear on top of the ladder, but coach Ross Lyon is playing down the favourites tag.

The Dockers won their sixth straight match of the season on Saturday night to vault two games clear of the competition, and three games clear of two-time reigning premiers Hawthorn.

But following the 28-point win over Essendon, Lyon isn't worried about what the bookmakers are doing.

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"It's not our job to commentate on bookies' markets," Lyon said. 

"I just find that not quite deep enough for me. 

"I hear bookies markets and people were writing different stories for us at the start of the year. The stories change externally from week-to-week. We don't get caught in that yo-yo. 

"What we get caught in is working hard and preparing and hopefully playing really good footy." 

Lyon said he did not think everything was going perfectly for the Dockers despite their undefeated start to the year.

"It's round six," Lyon said.

"I think it actually means nothing. (Sydney Swans) were 2-3 last year and played in the Grand Final. So let's not get ahead of ourselves. We're pleased to bank four points. But there are plenty of challenges that lay ahead.

"That's League footy. There's no complacency. There's no breathing out. We'll enjoy tonight and we'll really focus (on next week) tomorrow."


WATCH: Ross Lyon's full post-match media conference

Lyon remains concerned by the injuries to his key defenders with Luke McPharlin (calf) joining Zac Dawson and Alex Silvagni on the sidelines.

But McPharlin's absence on Saturday night paved the way for Alex Pearce to make his debut and the 19-year-old was very impressive down back. 

"McPharlin is actually OK," Lyon said.

"We were warming him up slowly and he couldn't get going and he said, 'no I'm out'. So we just backed Luke's call in."

Lyon could not guarantee McPharlin would return next week. 

"I don't know," Lyon said.

"He may feel the same. But if Luke was really confident it would be nice for him to play. Zac Dawson should play at Peel next week, so that helps."            

Dawson has not played at all this season after struggling with groin issues throughout the summer, while Silvagni is out for 12 weeks after requiring hamstring surgery a fortnight ago.

The Dockers travel to Etihad Stadium next Sunday to face the Western Bulldogs and Lyon said he was in awe of their first half against St Kilda on Saturday afternoon. 

"I sat at home today and watched all the Bulldogs game, in awe of them in the first half," Lyon said. 

"They were pretty special. But the young group probably fatigued a little bit and the Saints really got going and I sat there and watched it to the end.

"I understand their very, very best and I also saw some vulnerabilities. We've already spoken to the players about that.

"We get eight days to prepare and we're coming up against a fierce opposition."