Thomas hurt the knee in the round 19 clash with St Kilda, but such is the state of the Magpie injury list they have been forced to take him as part of their 25-strong travelling party.
Rhys Shaw – who is ideally suited to the vast expanses of Subiaco Oval – also travelled as he attempts to force his way back into the side after his club-imposed two-week suspension.
Thomas is no certainty to play, and veteran midfielder Shane O'Bree said the club would give him as long as possible to get it right.
"Dale ran the other day – it's just a matter of how it feels, really," he said at the airport as the Magpies flew out for Friday night's clash with Fremantle.
"By all reports it's pretty good – it's healing well, so it's just a matter of how he feels."
Skipper Scott Burns suffered a calf strain last weekend, and he definitely won't be making the trip.
O'Bree said the captain wasn't one to complain about injuries.
"We will miss the skipper – he's had a bloody good year, but obviously he's hurt his leg and won't be right to play this week.
"He hasn't been down at all, Scott – whether he's got an injury or whatever, Scott's the same sort of bloke.
"He doesn't really bring it to the footy club if he's got any injuries – he's our captain, so it's no good him moping around.
"He's been really good, he's fantastic.
"Hopefully, the professional that he is, he'll get himself right for next week.
"I've only seen him yesterday and he was getting physio on it.
"He's obviously just walking at this stage, but obviously we've got a long break, and it's no good him flying over this weekend – flying's not the best thing for it – so he'll just freshen up over the weekend, get it right, hopefully run next week and play next weekend."
