FREMANTLE forward Matt Taberner is a strong chance to return for Friday night’s preliminary final as coach Ross Lyon searches for a forward line formula that can topple Hawthorn.
 
Taberner played in eight of the first nine rounds when the Dockers' forward line featured three talls, including Matthew Pavlich and the resting ruckman.
 
The Dockers were undefeated in the first nine rounds and averaged 94 points a game.
 
Since round 10, the Dockers have averaged just 77 points a game and Taberner played just six of the last 14 matches of the home and away season. He has played just once since round 17, kicking two goals against Port Adelaide and been subbed out of seven of the 14 matches he has played this season.
 
He was picked to play in the qualifying final against the Sydney Swans but was a late withdrawal when wet weather was expected. He kicked five goals in a WAFL final the following day.
 
Lyon said he was a big chance to come into the side against Hawthorn at Domain Stadium.
 
"The odds are in his favour," Lyon said on Monday. 
 
Lyon said that ruckman Jon Griffin was also in consideration after recovering from a hamstring injury that has kept him out since round 22.
 
"Jon Griffin trained fully today," Lyon said.
 
"So he's basically back and available. He'd been really good for us so that's clearly an option as well."
 
With the exception of Luke McPharlin, who is in severe doubt with a calf problem, the Dockers appear to have a reasonably healthy list to choose from.
 
Michael Walters suffered a slight hip issue at training on Monday but Lyon said he was fine. Michael Johnson (back), Nat Fyfe (fibula) and Matthew Pavlich have all been managed over the past week but all are ready to face the Hawks.
 
Much has been made of Fremantle's lack of scoring power. The Dockers kicked just six goals in round 15 when the Hawks beat them by 72 points in their only meeting this year. But Lyon said he had thrown the tape of that game in the bin.
 
He has not shied away from the Dockers' scoring issues but said finals are won in the middle.
 
"Sometimes it's as simple as win the ball really well and tackle really well and use it," Lyon said.
 
"Sometimes it's not that complicated. But we'll have to be fierce in the contest. We'll have to try to close down their time and space. Clearly the Eagles were able to do that and Adelaide weren't able to do that.
 
"We know they are an offensive juggernaut. We know they have been the best offensive team in the past three years.
 
"We have to bring all of our defensive heat, be fierce in the contest and really try to score well ourselves."
 
The Hawks have won five of the six clashes since Lyon took over as Fremantle coach at the start of 2012. The Hawks have won the clearances and contested possession count in five of those matches.