FREMANTLE will be without Nathan Fyfe, Michael Barlow and Zac Dawson for Friday night’s Grand Final re-match through a mixture of injury and suspension.
The Dockers confirmed on Tuesday morning they would not challenge the sanctions handed down by the Match Review Panel to Fyfe and Dawson on Monday, while it has been confirmed Barlow will miss with a knee injury.
One of Fremantle’s most damaging midfielders in their 2-0 start to the season, Barlow has averaged 30 disposals and kicked three goals in the opening two games.
Fyfe will miss two matches after being rubbed out for a bump on Gold Coast’s Michael Rischitelli and Dawson a week for tripping.
The trio are big losses to the Dockers, who will make the trip to the MCG for the blockbuster.
Fyfe, one of the early favourites for the Brownlow Medal after his outstanding start to the season is one of his team’s best players with his ability to run through the midfield and take big marks up forward.
His leap for his size along with his running capacity makes him a difficult match-up for opposition teams, something Hawthorn Coach Alastair Clarkson will now not need to worry about.
He was best on ground in Round 1 against Collingwood despite being subbed out of the game at three-quarter time and gathered 29 disposals in the 48-point victory over the Suns.
Dawson’s absence is a blow to Fremantle’s defensive stocks, particularly considering the strength of Hawthorn’s tall forwards.
While Luke McPharlin will most likely get the job on last year’s Coleman Medal winner Jarryd Roughead, Dawson would have been earmarked for accurate forward Jack Gunston.
That means Michael Johnson, a player the Dockers like to have as a roaming half back will no longer be able to fulfill his “spare man” role. He will likely be forced onto either Gunston or David Hale.
Defender Alex Silvagni could make his way into the side to help bolster the key defensive stocks, while former Demon Colin Sylvia could come into contention along with young gun Lachie Neale.
Garrick Ibbotson would also likely feature in selection talks.