FREMANTLE defender Luke McPharlin will not play against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday after the Dockers withdrew him from their 25-man squad on Friday.

The Dockers had initially named McPharlin on Thursday night but his withdrawal was revealed just before the team flew to Melbourne. 

The first 50 minutes of Fremantle training on Friday was open to the media and McPharlin had appeared to get through a fitness test unscathed before joining the main group. 

However the AFL advised soon after that McPharlin had been withdrawn and replaced by ruckman Jack Hannath, and the Dockers later confirmed it was calf soreness that was keeping the defender sidelined.

Defender Zac Dawson was set to play his first game of the season in the WAFL on Saturday after battling groin issues all year. But coach Ross Lyon said the club had opted for him to wait another week.

"No he won't play this week but he's out there training," Lyon said.

"He's feeling really good, we just thought we'd give him some more build-up. He just pulled up a little bit sore in an unrelated spot, so it just put him back a day."

The Dockers also named Hayden Crozier and Tommy Sheridan in their 25-man squad. The senior squad trained together on Friday morning while those playing in the WAFL, including Tendai Mzungu, trained separately.

Lyon said rotating players in and out of the side to give others opportunities was not an option he was considering.

"Whoever deserves to play, plays," the coach said.

"We've got high integrity in our selection. We don't gift games.

"We certainly don't just push people out who deserve their spot. At the end of the day, it's their careers. If we were flippant, they wouldn't trust their coach or match committee."

Lyon said strength in depth was critical to the Dockers' premiership hopes as he was certain injuries would hit them throughout the year.

"As night follows day, injuries will come,” he said.

“It is good we've got players of the calibre of Sheridan, Tendai, Crozier, Connor Blakely and Brady Grey, who can come in and step up.  

"That's really important. Premierships and great campaigns are won by about 30-32 player. You can't get it done with 22."