ROSS Lyon says Fremantle's winning streak is sustainable given the health and form of his squad but he says it's a long way short of what he achieved at St Kilda in 2009.
The Dockers are aiming for their ninth consecutive win to start the season when they face the Crows at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
It is already the best start to a season in the club's history but a ninth straight win would equal the club's longest winning streak, achieved under Chris Connolly in 2006.
Lyon said the streak was definitely sustainable but was quick to point out that the current Dockers are nowhere near the 19-0 start St Kilda made in the 2009 season when he was their coach.
"The more you win the harder it is to lose," he said on Thursday.
"But I just want to put it into context. We're 8-0, we're not 20 games in a row here. We're nowhere near the levels of performance of winning as the previous organisation (St Kilda).
"In saying that, our games have the least amount of stoppages. I think we tackle the least. So it's not like we play a brutal style. It's certainly sustainable."
The Dockers' squad is in the best shape it has been since Lyon arrived at the club in 2012.
Aside from the retirement of Colin Sylvia (playing this Saturday for Templestowe in Melbourne's Eastern Football League), the indefinite absences of Ryan Crowley (provisional suspension) and Anthony Morabito (knee), and the medium-term injuries of Alex Silvagni (hamstring) and Michael Apeness (knee) the squad has no other issues to speak of.
Skipper Matthew Pavlich was subbed out of last week's win over North Melbourne with a tight adductor but should be right to face the Crows after he trained on Thursday morning.
"We're confident he'll get through but if something bobs up we obviously wouldn't play him," Lyon said.
"But he's pretty confident."
Key defender Zac Dawson will finally make his return to football in the WAFL this weekend after missing the whole season to-date with groin problems.
Lyon said that the form of the side at present would make it tough for Dawson to find his way back into the Dockers' best 22 at the moment.
"I think Zac will acknowledge that it is going to be difficult to get back in as it sits now, as it is for anyone who is out of the team, it is difficult to get back in," Lyon said.
"But as night follows day, there are going to be injuries and there will be opportunities and they have to be ready to grab them and take them.
"If everything went south, because Alex Pearce is a little sore and Alex Silvagni (is out), it wouldn't take much for him (Dawson) to be looked at, would it?
"Hopefully we can get three or four games into him then he comes back with a really strong foundation."
