FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon is backing Michael Walters and Hayden Ballantyne to build on their form after a relatively quiet start to the year by their high standards.

Walters was the club's leading goalkicker in 2013 while Ballantyne topped the goalkicking last year and was named All Australian.

The small forwards have kicked just 13 goals between them so far this season but Lyon said they were still playing well.

"There has been a bit of noise about (their form)," Lyon said.

"Hayden had three shots last week and I think two of them were really gettable. 

"‘Sonny’ (Walters) kicked two. I thought Michael played really, really well - I gave him votes. Some of his ball use and kicking, I thought he kicked clutch goals and (laid some good) tackles."

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Lyon said he had spoken to Ballantyne this week about a few things and backed his dynamic small forward to deliver for him.

"(Hayden) has been thereabouts without being at his very, very best," Lyon said.

"Things aren't going perfectly. They aren't going bad. Most small forwards would take three shots on goal (each game).

"We could always get a little bit more, but I think they are in pretty good nick still."

Midfielder David Mundy will be monitored over the next couple of days after suffering a nasty cut above his right eye last week. But Lyon expects he will be fine to play against North Melbourne on Saturday night.

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Mundy clashed heads with Brett Goodes while laying a tackle during last Sunday's win over the Western Bulldogs. He immediately came from the ground with blood gushing from above his right eye but was bandaged up and returned to play without any issues.

Mundy was on light duties at training on Thursday morning and still had a bandage across his forehead covering up the stitches he required.

Lyon said it was a significant clash but he was planning for Mundy to play.

"It was a big head clash,” Lyon said.

"Cuts don't worry him too much … they (the players) are excited to be playing at the minute and pretty keen to keep their spot.

"We'll make an informed decision but we're certainly planning for him to play."

Lyon was also confident veteran Luke McPharlin would return this week after missing the past two matches with calf tightness.

"(We're) really confident he'll play," Lyon said.

"We were confident last week, I know it sounds a bit silly, but more so this week. He just had a little bit of doubt in his mind more than anything. Again, he made the call. But he trained Sunday and felt nothing, so we're planning for him to play."

The Dockers have a dilemma this week with WAFL affiliate club Peel Thunder not playing this weekend due to a bye for a state game.

Lyon said it was not ideal but it was a good opportunity for some of his younger players to get a rest.