BRADY Grey's impressive AFL debut on Saturday against Port Adelaide was enough for teammate Garrick Ibbotson to declare him Fremantle's next small defender in line.

Grey was one of the Dockers' best in a backline that conceded 69 inside 50s, holding star Power forward Chad Wingard goalless.

The 20-year-old debutant also restricted Wingard – who's widely expected to gain a second All Australian selection – to just 12 possessions, while winning 20 of his own.

Leigh Spurr and Cameron Sutcliffe are both expected to return to the starting line-up for next week's qualifying final, but Ibbotson told AFL.com.au that if either of them became unavailable Grey was ready.

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"If someone like a Brady Grey happened to come in we know he can do a job on a small forward … if for whatever reason we need someone to play in the finals on a small forward then he gets that," Ibbotson said.

"To get that one (debut) out of the way and to play really well I think is good for his confidence."

Coach Ross Lyon was also impressed, saying he "fought on like a caged lion" as Fremantle's backline was continually under pressure.

Another who took his chance on Saturday was key forward Matt Taberner, who booted two goals, assisted another, took three contested marks and won 15 possessions.

In the absence of skipper Matthew Pavlich it was a notable performance full of character from the 22-year-old.

Like Grey, if Chris Mayne or Pavlich are rendered unavailable during the finals series, the Dockers have an obvious replacement.

"Without Pav here it was a really good game for him to stand up and I think he did, I thought he was really strong," Ibbotson said.

"He took some good contested marks and I think his confidence is really good … if he happens to play then he's had a really good performance leading into the finals."