DOIG medallist Bradley Hill has been ruled out of Sunday's spicy Western Derby, while Fremantle spearhead Matt Taberner could be facing more than two months on the sidelines after breaking a bone in his foot.

Hill has been progressing slowly since almost rupturing his ACL in round two against Essendon.

The Dockers hoped the speedy wingman would only miss a week, however Hill has struggled to run at training due to knee bruising and doesn't have a return date.

"He won't play this week. He's got to build up, even if he was running (well), so he could take some time still," coach Ross Lyon told Channel Seven.

Taberner's fractured metatarsal is a major blow for the former rookie who had finally established himself as Freo's No.1 marking target this season.

The 24-year-old was dominating former Peel teammate Aaron Naughton in the air in last Saturday night's belting of the Bulldogs before going down late in the opening term.

But Taberner is now in a moon boot and will now be out of action until the second half of the campaign.

"Healing of the bone, you can draw your own conclusions, six-to-eight weeks and then get moving," Lyon said.

"So it's a fair length of time, but we couldn't give you to the week.

"The obvious one (to replace him) is Michael Johnson who could play forward, or do we push Alex Pearce forward, or Shane Kersten and Brennan Cox have been down there at Peel whacking away.

"It's a big challenge the derby this week, so it's important to get the balance right."

Lyon reiterated he had no major issues with Optus Stadium, although both WA clubs won't be able to train at the venue for at least three weeks.

Sydney coach John Longmire joined Eagles counterpart Adam Simpson in questioning the surface after revealing superstar Lance Franklin has carried a bruised heel since bagging eight goals in round one.

"I think it might be Kangaroo corner getting together, Simpson and Longmire, from North Melbourne days," Lyon said.

"Buddy's kicked (10) goals since, so who would know."

The build-up to the 47th Western Derby – and first at Optus Stadium – has been dominated by heated debate about the Ross Glendinning Medal's future, with WA football divided over the issue, and Lyon had a foot in both camps.

"It's a difficult one. I see the tradition, but as the club said they're looking at someone representing Fremantle Football Club and someone who has made a mark there," he said.

"I'll leave it to the powers that be, it's beyond the depth of my position."