STAR Fremantle forward Michael Walters has defended veteran Hayden Ballantyne, insisting the Dockers goalsneak is doing his job for the team.

With the rebuilding Dockers set to double down and promote youth, Ballantyne is one of several experienced campaigners under external pressure.

Freo fielded five players aged over 30 in a 28-point loss to North Melbourne last round and Carlton premiership coach Robert Walls called for Ballantyne, Danyle Pearce and Michael Johnson to make way.

When asked about Ballantyne's form, Walters was adamant the 30-year-old deserved to hold his spot.

"I feel like Ballas is playing his role. He's putting the pressure on," Walters said.

Ballantyne has booted 10 goals in as many games this year and is averaging 1.6 tackles.

After hamstring trouble last year, he kicked 11 goals and laid 34 tackles in 10 appearances.

"Let's not forget that he's playing on some quality small lock-down defenders as well," Walters said.

"Ballas is a quality player. He knows all he needs is three or four kicks and he could change a game.

"All that external noise we're not going to listen to. We know what his role is for this team."

Walters said forward pressure would be crucial for the Dockers against in-form Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.

"We want to lock (the ball) in our forward half and keep the opposition under the pump," Walters said.

"If they're going to run it out of there too easy, we aren't doing our job.

"In terms of (do) we need another tall, the players we've got there we need them to play their role.

"We need Cam McCarthy as a tall to put on that pressure, bring the ball to ground or mark it so us smalls can get involved."

While Freo topped 100 points twice at home early in the season, the Dockers have had a lean month on the scoreboard, averaging 58 points in the past four games.

"The game-plan we have, we're going to stick by. We know it can work, it's just that inconsistency we show at times," Walters said.

In a double-blow, the Dockers have lost influential ruckman Aaron Sandilands (concussion) and classy half-back Stephen Hill (quad) for the trip to the MCG.

Speedy rookie Stefan Giro is likely to debut, while injury-ravaged Michael Apeness is in the mix for his first game since round 23, 2016 to replace Sandilands.

Walters wasn't concerned about a knee knock suffered against the Roos and trained on Wednesday morning.

McCarthy was missing but there were positive signs with Doig medallist Bradley Hill running strongly after being sidelined since round two by bone bruising in his knee.

In the build-up to Sir Doug Nicholls Round and as part of National Reconciliation Week, the Dockers' No.1 ticketholder Richard Walley held a smoking ceremony at the club's Cockburn headquarters.

Walley has also painted a message stick to present to the Magpies on Sunday as a gesture of goodwill and a mark of respect to Collingwood when Fremantle travel from Noongar country to Kulin country.