FREMANTLE has been experimenting with players in different positions as it prepares for Saturday's qualifying final against the Sydney Swans without All Australian defenders Michael Johnson and Luke McPharlin.
The Dockers suffered a major blow on Monday when Johnson was ruled out for the season with a back injury while McPharlin is unlikely to return from a calf problem that has kept him out for nearly a month.
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said on Tuesday he wasn't dwelling on the loss of Johnson and expects Alex Silvagni to slot seamlessly into defence.
Versatile Docker Tendai Mzungu is confident he and his teammates can cover the loss of their star defenders for the ANZ Stadium clash.
"Guys have been thrown around in different roles at training so we are pretty confident that whoever comes in will be able to fill that role," he said.
The 28-year-old said it is vital for players to have the flexibility to play multiple roles in modern football.
"There are less rotations and guys and guys need to be able to run more," Mzungu said.
"So it means you need to be able to spend more time down back or up front if you're a midfielder and vice versa.
"I think it is something that has evolved.
"We do train it strongly during the week and be able to prepare for it on game day."
While much of the focus has been on the Dockers suffering injuries to key defenders ahead of facing a potent Swans forward line, Mzungu said the Swans' midfield are the drivers of the supply to the likes of Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett and Adam Goodes.
"It's won and lost in the midfield," Mzungu said.
"They're a super hard running team. They work up and down. It's not just one way. They're a two-way team.
"Also around the clearances they're led by Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker - they're the clearance kings. We're going to have to be really strong in that area."
The Swans' ability to spread from stoppages is also something that the Fremantle midfield will have to be extremely wary of.
"Reaction time is going to be the key on the weekend," Mzungu said.
"Once the ball leaves the area we'll have to react really quickly and make good decisions because they will hurt you on the outside and we can't afford too many slip ups on the day."
