With Luke McPharlin already out, is this week's season-ending injury to Michael Johnson too much for Fremantle to overcome?
Why Fremantle can win the premiership without Michael Johnson
What first strikes as an injury that could end Fremantle's premiership quest is nothing of the sort. Yes, Michael Johnson is an All Australian and he has been the Dockers' primary avenue out of defence this season, but he can also be replaced in a group that prides itself on team defence.
This week's qualifying final against the Sydney Swans and their tall forward line will be the biggest hurdle for Fremantle without Johnson. Get past the Swans, and suddenly his absence is much less crippling against smaller forward lines.
The options for Ross Lyon include Alex Silvagni, who will certainly play against the Swans in a likely match-up with Lance Franklin, while Garrick Ibbotson (186cm) becomes a tall option in a role he has played before.
Then there is forward Chris Mayne, who was sent back against West Coast in round seven and curtailed Jack Darling. Mayne’s opponent could be Adam Goodes.
Zac Dawson is the man for Kurt Tippett.
The rain is Fremantle's best friend this week. And with the Dockers possessing a small, dangerous, in-form forward line, the question could well be posed: how do the Swans shut down the Dockers' smalls?
The other key for Fremantle will be the midfield battle, where they have not been beaten in centre clearances for a month. Nat Fyfe returns from suspension this week to strengthen that area of the ground.
It's not all doom and gloom for the Dockers. – Nathan Schmook
No Johnson, no Dockers, Freo can't do it without him
It will take all the powers of genius that Ross Lyon has to steer Fremantle to a premiership from here.There have been flag-winning teams missing key players in the past, but not many by teams missing their two best defenders. Without Luke McPharlin, and now Johnson, that's the piece of history Freo will try to create.
Take the two best key position players out of any side – back and forward – and their premiership hopes would take a hammering. McPharlin was an All Australian in 2012 and Johnson the same last year, and both are critical to the way the Dockers set up in defence.
My esteemed colleague Nathan Schmook has forecast the likely match-ups this week in the absence of McPharlin and Johnson, and he has them about right.
But the question is whether the Dockers can win the premiership, not just knock off the Sydney Swans. Chris Mayne to the backline is all well and good, but that robs them of scoring options against teams like Geelong and Hawthorn, which like to keep the scoreboard ticking over regularly.
I'm not sure the Dockers still have the flexibility in their defensive structure to cope with the Hawks, who change their forward structure after every goal, or the options to quell Geelong's Tom Hawkins when his confidence is up and he marks everything in sight. – Ashley Browne
