FREMANTLE's injury woes have deepened with experienced midfielder Michael Barlow ruled out for three-to-four weeks with a fractured finger.
Barlow suffered a fractured right finger late in Friday night's loss to Collingwood at the MCG.
He was unable to shake hands with his opponents after the game.
Dockers' sports science manager Jason Weber confirmed on the club's website on Tuesday that the fracture was significant and Barlow required surgery to repair it.
"He got his finger caught in an awkward position and fractured it rather seriously," Weber said.
"He's had surgery this week and he'll be around the three-to-four week mark before he can come back."
The news gets worse for the Dockers with Clancee Pearce suffering an ankle injury in the WAFL on Saturday.
Pearce was an emergency for Friday night's clash with Collingwood but strained his ankle while playing for Peel Thunder and will also be sidelined for up to four weeks.
"Unfortunately, he was caught awkwardly in a tackle and has had a syndesmosis strain," Weber said.
The Dockers only had 28 fit players to choose from last week. The injuries to Barlow and Pearce and a possible club suspension for mature-aged recruit Shane Yarran only adds to their woes.
In Fremantle’s favour is the fact that it doesn’t play again until round 16 when it faces Melbourne at the MCG.
Ruckman Jon Griffin is likely to return from a hamstring injury for the clash with the Demons, and coach Ross Lyon already had him set to replace one of Jack Hannath or Zac Clarke after both underperformed against Collingwood.
Youngster Ethan Hughes should be available to return from a calf injury. Lyon was planning on giving Hughes at least one game in the WAFL but he could be forced to recall him immediately.
Anthony Morabito is also close from returning from an ankle injury. He has played six WAFL matches this season after missing all of last year with knee soreness. But he has been sidelined for multiple weeks on three separate occasions this year due to two hamstring injuries and an ankle issue.
Lyon was also adamant last week that star veterans Aaron Sandilands and Michael Johnson would play again this season, but there is still no timeframe on the return of either player.
