ROSS Lyon says he threw first-year player Darcy Tucker "to the wolves" in his debut game against Carlton and wants him to regain some touch in the WAFL this week.

Tucker, 19, was the Dockers' first pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft. He played the first game of the NAB Challenge against Richmond and was impressive but he suffered a minor knee injury and did not play again in the pre-season.

Following some good form in the first three rounds of the WAFL, Tucker was the held-over emergency against West Coast and did not play in the WAFL. Then, in the week leading up to his debut against Carlton, Peel had a bye.

"We threw Tucker to the wolves, really," the Fremantle coach said on Friday.
 
"He hadn't played for two weeks and he's a first-year player and we just based [the decision] on one pre-season game.

"For the foundation coming in, I think he's acquitted himself quite well. Has he had huge impact? I think he'd be the first to say 'no'.

"But what we see we think he's going to be a good player for us."

The Dockers have recalled experience pair Garrick Ibbotson and Nick Suban in place of second ruck Zac Clarke and Brady Grey and Tucker.
 
Grey, 20, like Tucker, has only played two games this year but has been asked to go back to the WAFL to build some form.
 
"Brady, he's had real grunt. Obviously his execution hasn't been at the level and we'd like a little bit more."
 
Ibbotson and Suban both lost their place in the side following the round four loss to North Melbourne. Ibbotson gathered 22 disposals and took nine marks for Peel Thunder last week and has been added to shore up the defence against the powerful Giants forward line.
 
Suban only had 16 touches in his first game back in the WAFL a fortnight ago but he gathered 22 disposals and kicked three goals in Peel's 77-point over Perth last week.
 
Clarke's omission means that Jon Griffin will shoulder most of the ruck load against Shane Mumford, with part-time support likely to come from Alex Pearce and Matt Taberner.