STAR small forward Michael Walters is set to be thrown into Fremantle's engine room as coach Ross Lyon searches for more midfield class and speed in Stephen Hill's absence.

The Dockers sorely missed Hill's drive in Saturday night's Western Derby defeat, and will be without the 27-year-old for another 2-3 weeks as he overcomes a hamstring strain.

Lyon experimented by pushing Walters up the ground late against West Coast and is likely to start him in the middle against Essendon on Sunday after two quiet games in attack. 

"All clubs have challenges. Obviously we lost some depth and quality through that midfield with Michael Barlow, Tendai (Mzungu) and Matty de Boer, those sort of guys (at the end of 2016)," Lyon said.

"Stephen Hill, to lose him, and have Harley (Bennell) not playing as well, and (Hayden) Ballantyne … that speed and kick (of Hill), you like it. 

"It's a really nice blend with his pace and kick in there to complement the big bodies.

"Michael will give us a little bit of that, no doubt."

Walters has battled an ankle injury since round three but is improving by the week.

The electric goalsneak had 20 touches and booted a goal in round four against Melbourne at the MCG, but has failed to hit the scoreboard since and picked up only 22 disposals in two games.

"Once we put him around the ball (against West Coast) he found a bit of the ball," Lyon said. 

"Sometimes what other people are doing impacts on your ability to play well as a small forward – it's almost the hardest position in AFL footy."

Freo's midfield was well beaten by the Eagles. Superstar Nat Fyfe was quieter than usual, picking up 19 touches amid close-checking attention. 

Fyfe was clearly frustrated and lashed out at Elliot Yeo late in the clash, copping a $1000 fine for striking.

But Lyon denied a report Freo was seeking clarification from the umpires' department about opponents' off-the-ball treatment of Fyfe, whose future again created headlines this week amid reports he had agreed to join St Kilda from next season.

"Fyfe is yesterday's fake news, and that's fake news. I'm head of football and I have no intention (of seeking clarification)," Lyon said.

"We're all big boys, we all compete. At the end of the day we got beat, we don't make excuses.

"We could've blocked more heavily, but I didn't think he got too much (attention) – I think Nathan will say that.

"I didn't think he dropped his game that much at all, but when you set such a high standard for a long period of time you get judged pretty quickly, but he wants that."

Lyon confirmed Harley Bennell was still away from the club after his latest calf setback, while Danyle Pearce trained on Wednesday after taking personal leave last week.   

The Dockers are weighing up bringing an extra ruckman in to face the Bombers, with Jonathon Griffin and forward-ruck Matt Taberner knocking on the door.