ROSS Lyon has dismissed concerns about the management of Connor Blakely's shoulder injury after the midfielder appeared to dislocate the joint twice against Greater Western Sydney.
The Dockers coach said he had "full faith" in the club's doctors, who cleared Blakely to be sent back on the ground after he hurt the joint in a contest midway through the first term of Saturday's 12-point loss to the Giants.
About half an hour later, the 21-year-old left the field under similar circumstances, cradling his arm.
"Yeah, I don't know. I just leave it in the doctors' hands," Lyon said.
"They pick up the phone and tell me 'He's right to come back on' – so he came back on."
After the initial injury, Blakely spent a significant period on the bench as club staff appeared to try and pop his shoulder back in.
He did not return to the ground after the second injury.
Lyon said he did not know the extent of Blakely's injury, and conceded he did not know if it would be worse because the young gun returned to the field.
"I've got full faith in our doctors," he said.
"I think you see it all the time in the AFL, don't you? People come off with injuries, get assessed and then come back on," Lyon said, before asking reporters: "Have you seen that before?"
The Dockers coach then cited an incident from 20 years ago to explain his point of view.
"I remember Daryn Cresswell's kneecap came out, he banged it back in and kept playing," Lyon said.
"It happens."
Connor Blakely injured his shoulder in this marking contest. #AFLGiantsFreo pic.twitter.com/ACTYodpSZI
— AFL (@AFL) July 29, 2017
WATCH: Ross Lyon's full post-match media conference
A young Fremantle line-up showed plenty of improvement to lead the Giants by 13 points at three-quarter time, before succumbing 13.20 (98) to 13.8 (86).
Lyon was pleased with the efforts of recruit Shane Kersten, who booted three goals, and Luke Ryan, who had 25 touches and 14 marks, after serving a one-match club-imposed ban.
Ryan made his debut in round 11, but was sanctioned by the Dockers for drinking alcohol after their Western Derby defeat a fortnight ago.
"He's a good aerialist and a beautiful kick, and if he stays focused, there's an AFL career for him and he can build an opportunity," Lyon said.
Nat Fyfe (31 touches, 19 contested possessions) and Lachie Neale (30 disposals) were Fremantle's major ball winners.
The Dockers play Gold Coast at Domain Stadium next Saturday night.