SILKY Fremantle midfielder Stephen Hill is set to be sidelined for Sunday's scratch match against West Coast, but the Dockers hope young ruckman Sean Darcy will be available after a calf injury.
Hill tweaked his calf while on the comeback trail from a quad issue and the final JLT Community Series hit-out against the Eagles on March 11 shapes as his only chance for match practice before round one.
Cameron Sutcliffe (concussion) was the Dockers' sole injury concern from their 10-point loss to Adelaide on Sunday and the defender is a test for Sunday's game at Subiaco Oval.
Veteran Lee Spurr is also a wait-and-see prospect after hurting his knee while playing in a pre-season game for Peel last Saturday.
Full-back Joel Hamling should be back after missing the Crows trip to attend his father's wedding.
Darcy could also make his first appearance following a significant calf setback.
The Dockers are keen to watch the youngster play alongside mentor Aaron Sandilands ahead of round one, although it remains to be seen if the 35-year-old is named this Sunday with mainly young squads expected to be selected.
Darcy and Sandilands were partnered together for the first time in round 15 last year but it was a short-lived experiment after the veteran suffered a season-ending hamstring injury before quarter-time.
"Hawthorn did it really well with two (ruckmen during their premiership era). At times at the Saints I played the two – (Steven) King and (Michael) Gardiner – (when) it was unlimited interchange," coach Ross Lyon said last week.
"But the last couple of (premiership) teams have had one and a mobile ruck.
"I think they both bring a lot to the table and we would like to do that.
"We're going to have to figure out – Aaron wants to play every week and Sean wants to play every week – what works best for the team and them.
"We'll get to that at the right time, but it's going to be a challenge."