FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon says veteran Matthew Pavlich won't be rested for Saturday's clash with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, while defender Sam Collins will make his debut.

Pavlich was rested for the round-eight loss to Hawthorn, but Lyon dismissed talk the 34-year-old would be spared the trip to Melbourne this week.

Midfielders Stephen Hill (adductor) and David Mundy (calf) will play if they pull up well from training, but Ethan Hughes (calf) has been ruled out.

Meanwhile, Lyon has warned Zac Clarke it's time to deliver, saying the under-fire ruckman can't use injury as an excuse for his poor form.

Clarke's progress has stagnated significantly during the past two years, and the 26-year-old's spot in the side is at risk following a series of quiet performances.

In five games this season, Clarke has averaged just seven possessions and 14 hit-outs a game.

It's a far cry from his breakout year of 2013, when he averaged 13 disposals and 21 hit-outs during Fremantle's charge towards the Grand Final.

Clarke is out of contract at season's end, and his future at the club remains up in the air.

The 203cm ruckman has battled knee injuries in recent years, but Lyon says it hasn't been enough to explain his drop in form.

"He hasn't been at his best and he's disappointed and we're disappointed," Lyon said.

"But I still see possibility in Zac. I think we all do - the athleticism.

"We feel like we've backed him in and given him opportunities. So he'll continue to get some opportunity.

"Whether we like it or not, it takes the big guys longer to mature - physically, maybe mentally.

"But it's the time now we'd like him to start delivering more consistently, there's no doubt about that."

The Dockers are aiming to notch their first win of the season when they take on St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Hughes, Harley Bennell, Alex Silvagni, Michael Johnson, Mundy, and Shane Yarran have been cut down by calf problems in 2016, and Lyon admits it's an area the club needs to examine further.

"I'll get the sea salts on them and hopefully that will fix them," Lyon joked.

"(Calf injuries) are up across the board in the AFL, but we know we're above the average.

"Sometimes it's your whole program (that's the problem). We've done a lot of work. A lot of strength. We're liaising with experts."

Midfielder Michael Barlow is set to earn a recall after tallying 44 disposals and three goals in the WAFL.