The 31-year-old played his second game since round 15 last week in the Dockers' preliminary final win over the Sydney Swans, having returned from a left calf injury two weeks before in the team's victory over Geelong in the qualifying final at Simonds Stadium.
But it was back soreness that developed in the warm up of last Saturday night's win over the Swans that influenced cautious movement and treatment throughout the game.
Happy 'hard road Dockers'
Earlier in the week, leading sports medico Dr Peter Larkins said McPharlin's soreness had to be freed up by treatment on the boundary.
"He's had it before and he gets a little bit cautious when he gets it, and that's why he was being protective in the warm up and not doing big kicks and things like that – he was saving it for the game," Larkins told AFL.com.au.
"I didn't think during the game he showed too much restriction. He was obviously aware of it so it would have been in the back of his mind."
While Larkins expressed concern over how McPharlin would fare after the flight from Perth and then Friday's motorcade parade through Melbourne, the 2012 All Australian was "absolutely confident" he wouldn't have a similar issue before the Grand Final.
"At my age, like any other player, you have to manage your body," McPharlin told AFL.com.au.
"That was it for me, a bit of management throughout the game.
"I had a little bit of soreness, by virtue of the fact I'm not 21 anymore. I've always got a few issues."
McPharlin also needed his troublesome calf worked on throughout the game, however, he said he was confident in both aspects of his body going into Saturday.
"I was happy to get through last week given I'd missed a couple of months of football," he said.
"It feels good. I got through a full training session yesterday, the main session, pulled through unscathed and I'm ready to go, feeling good.
"To get through unscathed, get a bit of match fitness, I feel cherry ripe for tomorrow."
Twitter: @AFL_JenPhelan
Earlier in the week, leading sports medico Dr Peter Larkins said McPharlin's soreness had to be freed up by treatment on the boundary.
"He's had it before and he gets a little bit cautious when he gets it, and that's why he was being protective in the warm up and not doing big kicks and things like that – he was saving it for the game," Larkins told AFL.com.au.
"I didn't think during the game he showed too much restriction. He was obviously aware of it so it would have been in the back of his mind."
While Larkins expressed concern over how McPharlin would fare after the flight from Perth and then Friday's motorcade parade through Melbourne, the 2012 All Australian was "absolutely confident" he wouldn't have a similar issue before the Grand Final.
"At my age, like any other player, you have to manage your body," McPharlin told AFL.com.au.
"That was it for me, a bit of management throughout the game.
"I had a little bit of soreness, by virtue of the fact I'm not 21 anymore. I've always got a few issues."
McPharlin also needed his troublesome calf worked on throughout the game, however, he said he was confident in both aspects of his body going into Saturday.
"I was happy to get through last week given I'd missed a couple of months of football," he said.
"It feels good. I got through a full training session yesterday, the main session, pulled through unscathed and I'm ready to go, feeling good.
"To get through unscathed, get a bit of match fitness, I feel cherry ripe for tomorrow."
Twitter: @AFL_JenPhelan
