FREMANTLE is sweating on in-form tall Rory Lobb's shoulder injury and the Dockers could be forced to send superstar midfielder Nat Fyfe forward to boost their waning firepower against the Western Bulldogs.

The key duo are both listed as tests for the trip to Marvel Stadium, which shapes as a must-win game after Freo kept its slim finals hopes alive in the tense one-point triumph over Sydney.

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Fyfe looms as a likely inclusion after being hospitalised with an elbow infection last week, but Lobb is in doubt after subluxing his left shoulder late in the Swans clash. 

"It was a really courageous effort from Rory to play out the game under some duress," football manager Peter Bell said.

"We haven't ruled him out this week. He'll have a test later in the week on his shoulder, but he's improved. 

"We've been really pleased with the way that (Fyfe is) progressing and he'll be a test later this week. 

"We're very hopeful and quite confident that he'll be available to play against the Western Bulldogs." 

If Lobb, who kicked three goals against Sydney, is ruled out the Dockers will travel east without their three preferred tall forwards.

Rory Lobb cradles his left arm after the win over the Swans. Picture: AFL Photos

Marquee recruit Jesse Hogan underwent successful navicular surgery in Melbourne on Monday and has joined Matt Taberner (foot) on the sidelines for the rest of 2019. 

Key backman Alex Pearce (ankle) and depth ruckman Lloyd Meek (foot) are also on ice, while Shane Kersten (foot) hasn't been sighted all year, but Scott Jones (calf) should be available. 

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Emerging swingman Brennan Cox is out of action for three more weeks after a setback with his hip complaint.

Amid the big man crisis, veteran ruckman Aaron Sandilands appears likely to travel for his first away game since round 13 last year alongside protege Sean Darcy to provide some tall timber.

After booting three team-lifting goals against Hawthorn two weeks ago – and given Cam McCarthy's struggles hitting the scoreboard (two goals in three games) – Fyfe could be the most dangerous option inside 50.

Freo has managed just 31, 53 and 52 points in the past three matches during an alarming scoring drop-off.

The Dockers, who are a win and significant percentage behind Adelaide in eighth spot, won't regain injury-prone star Stephen Hill after another quad problem, following one game back from a hamstring strain 

The unrestricted free agent has managed just 16 appearances in the past two campaigns due to soft-tissue dramas and faces an indefinite period out.

"Stephen has a quad strain which is disappointing, so we'll build him back up slow and steady," Bell said.

"Hopefully, we'll see him back out and joining the main group (in training) soon."