FREMANTLE midfielder Lachie Neale has defended teammate Nick Suban after Suban was accused of unsportsmanlike behaviour during a spiteful Tribunal hearing on Tuesday night.

Suban was a witness in the case that saw West Coast midfielder Chris Masten suspended for two matches for biting the Docker's arm during last Sunday's Western Derby.

West Coast accused Suban of being unsportsmanlike, and causing Masten to bite down on his arm after allegedly forcing it around the Eagle's head during their wrestle.

Tribunal recap: Masten, Silvagni banned

Neale defended his teammate on Wednesday. 

"Nick's a really fierce competitor and we love the way he goes about his footy," Neale said. 

"I think you see on the field all the time, guys push the line and really try and play hard and aggressive footy and that's all Nick does. I don't think he's unsportsmanlike at all."

There is plenty of tension between the two clubs following Sunday's Derby and the subsequent Tribunal hearings, but Neale blanched at suggestions from Eagles defender Will Schofield that the 'players' code' of looking out for each other was broken. 

Schofield tweeted following Masten's suspension, "Mark down today's date in your calendar. The players (sic) code is no more." The tweet was later removed.

"I've never heard of what's in the players' code," Neale said.

"For me, I'm only young. I've been in a few years now and for me I've never been involved in a Tribunal incident over my short career so far. So I'm not really sure what goes on in there."

Neale said he did not think last weekend's Derby was particularly spiteful, nor did he think a possible final between the two Perth teams would have any extra spice, given what happened on Tuesday night.

"It was just two fierce teams going head-to-head and West Coast was really strong and better on the day," Neale said. 

"I think both sides are professional enough to move on and finals are big games anyway. I know that this Derby just gone was talked up as the biggest one so far. So I'm sure the same thing will happen if we do come across them in a finals series."

Neale said he had not spoken to Suban individually but he believed his teammate would quickly shift focus to Sunday's clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. 

"I haven't had a one-on-one with him," Neale said.

"But he seems fine. I think he's ready to go this week. He's moved on."

Masten was not the only player suspended from the Derby, with Dockers defender Alex Silvagni banned for four weeks for elbowing Eagles forward Jamie Cripps in the jaw.

Silvagni said he was very remorseful following the incident and Neale said the Dockers were supportive of their teammate. 

"It's disappointing for Alex," Neale said.

"But we really value him and respect him as a player and a person. He does play really hard and tough and that was just an incident that he was really remorseful for."

The Dockers appear set to regain veteran defender Luke McPharlin after he missed last week with calf tightness. Neale said McPharlin trained strongly on Tuesday. Zac Dawson is also available after serving a two-week suspension.