FREMANTLE has some significant injury issues ahead of round one with Nick Suban and Alex Silvagni both likely to miss with hamstring problems.
Suban injured his right hamstring early the first term of the Dockers' 19-point win over West Coast on Sunday afternoon at Domain Stadium.
Suban immediately had ice applied to his hamstring and coach Ross Lyon said after the match it appeared likely he would miss round one.
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"It looks like a grade one hamstring," Lyon said post-match.
"I would think it's not ideal."
Hayden Crozier and Stephen Hill rolled ankles but Lyon said both should be fine.
Defender Alex Silvagni also suffered a hamstring injury during the week and was withdrawn from Fremantle's squad before the match.
"He hurt his hamstring at training," Lyon said. "So he'll miss round one as well."
Zac Dawson will be unavailable for round one as he continues to recover from ongoing groin soreness.
Paul Duffield (rib), Michael Barlow (ankle), Tendai Mzungu (hamstring) and Matt Taberner (Achilles soreness) will all have to prove their fitness over the next fortnight to be selected to face Port Adelaide at Domain Stadium on April 5.
Lyon confirmed that Taberner would need to play for Peel Thunder in the WAFL next Saturday to be in contention for round one. The coach also confirmed that Barlow and Duffield could play for Peel.
Star forward Hayden Ballantyne is battling a calf problem. Ballantyne told Fox Footy on Sunday it was a 21-day injury that he suffered against the Sydney Swans last weekend and he hoped to be fit for round one.
"It's only a minor little calf," Ballantyne told Fox Footy.
"I'm aiming for round one. I'm not too fazed. If there's no hiccups I'll be playing round one."
Lyon said before the match that Ballantyne was more unlikely than likely to face Port Adelaide.
Despite the mounting injury concerns Lyon said his club would not use it as an excuse heading into round one.
"We don't make excuses," Lyon said.
"We have a few challenges like all clubs have, with personnel, but we're a no excuse footy club.
"If we don't win it's because we haven't been good enough."
