Luckless Fremantle defender Alex Pearce may require surgery on his finger, which would force him to miss 2-3 weeks.
After returning from a broken leg, the 23-year old has had an impressive 2018 campaign, shutting down a host of big-name forwards which has caused his name to be thrown into All-Australian contention.
Pearce has played all 12 games for the Dockers this year after only previously mustering 21 games.
And while he played out Sunday's three-point win over the Crows, Dockers coach Ross Lyon said the emerging defender would miss time.
“They would have to pin it; there’s a bit going on there,” he told reporters post-match.
“How he played it out, I don’t know. They are pretty tough kids, aren’t they? We question the courage of the modern-day player, I don’t know how we do it as often as we do, but we tend to do.
“He will go and see the appropriate surgeon. He will probably miss a couple of weeks I would think.”
Skipper Nat Fyfe will be a welcome inclusion next week, while big man Aaron Sandilands is a likely inclusion after missing the past two weeks with concussion.
However, small forward Michael Walters may join Pearce on the sidelines after being reported during Sunday's win for headbutting Crows backman Tom Doedee. Another incident may came under scrutiny by MRO Michael Christian where Walters punched Adelaide defender Jake Kelly in the stomach.
“Michael knows he didn’t regulate himself as much as he should have at that moment. For the most part he does. We’d like him to be a bit fiery but at the right time,” Lyon said.
