FREMANTLE could be without star ruckman Aaron Sandilands again next week as he continues to battle hamstring issue.
Sandilands was a pre-match withdrawal from the Dockers' clash with Collingwood at Domain Stadium on Sunday after tweaking his hamstring against Carlton in round nine.
The 33-year-old looked on track to return against the Magpies after training well earlier in the week and was named in the Fremantle's original squad of 22.
But Lyon said the 253-game veteran would be given more time to recover as the Dockers prepare to face the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba next Saturday.
The Dockers have the bye in round 13 so they may err on the side of caution and spare Sandilands the long flight to Brisbane.
"He was a bit about earlier in the week and we thought it was a real possibility (he would play)," Lyon said.
"As the week narrowed, it became less so.
"Sometimes you just give everyone the longest opportunity.
Asked whether Sandilands would play the Lions next week, Lyon said: "We have to work through the week (and) give him every chance."
In his absence, Jonathon Griffin tallied 26 hit-outs, five clearances and 13 disposals, but coughed up six clangers in the first half and had his colours lowered by star Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy (39 hit-outs, four clearances and 21 disposals at 71 percent efficiency) when the match was on the line in the final term.
Fremantle eventually lost the clearance count (36-41), but Lyon said his team was "not at all" affected by Sandilands' absence.
"To progress in this competition you've got to have no excuses – you're going to have personnel changes all the time.
"Everyone's got to play their part and stand up.
"Clearly you would like your best available."
WATCH: Ross Lyon's full post-match media conference
However, Lyon acknowledged deficiencies at forward-half stoppages contributed to his team's downfall.
"There were two issues: turning it over at (back of centre) … sometimes we were out and just couldn't hit a target."
"Unusually, they scored heavily from their defensive stoppages.
"When you put those two things together, you're going to be under pressure.
Third-year midfielder Ed Langdon – who also missed round 10 with a knee concern – was repeatedly assessed by club medical staff throughout the afternoon.
Lyon said the club erred in its judgment to select the 21-year-old, who seemed incapacitated in his ability to run and break the lines.
"Clearly it's been going up and down … We haven’t handled it quite right," Lyon said.
"He seemed to struggle.
"He was fine during the week.
"Could we have put a more rigorous fitness test around him? Maybe.
"We put some heat on him to finish the game strongly but he was a little bit distressed at the end.
"That's part of that strong mind stuff of AFL footy and he’s been really good with it.
"We need to look after him because you don’t want to grind good young players into the ground.
"He was a bit frustrated and it puts pressure on the team too."
Wingman Stephen Hill got through the game unscathed after copping a knock to the knee in the first half.
