Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir remains tight-lipped in regards to how they'll replace forward-ruck Patrick Voss for the clash against Melbourne on Saturday.
Voss will sit out the next three weeks after his three-game suspension was upheld at the Tribunal on Tuesday for a swinging arm that broke Richmond defender Nick Vlastuin's nose.
The Dockers coach said the club could look internally to fill the void, and support Sean Darcy in the ruck, while also flagging the potential return of Oscar McDonald.
"He's played that role," Longmuir said.
"Vossy's role, at WAFL level. We've tried to develop him into a swingman, and on a needs basis. We've got a number of tall defenders that he is probably behind at the moment.
"So to create opportunities for him to get into the team, we've put him forward and he's played that forward-ruck role for us.
"He's an option. The other option is to do it within the team. We are quite tall down back."
McDonald has become one of the AFL's journeyman, spending the past decade at three different clubs.
The 29-year-old has played one game for Fremantle after a serious injury to his knee wiped him out of the 2024 campaign.
Longmuir also alluded to one of the defenders potentially playing in the forward-ruck role, with Brennan Cox and Josh Draper posing as support acts for Darcy.
Josh Treacy is another viable option, but the Dockers coach is reluctant to push the in-form forward away from goal.
Fellow tall Jye Amiss has been uncharacteristically quiet in the opening five rounds of the season, which is in stark contrast to Treacy.
Amiss has kicked six goals from five starts, and has been held goalless on two occasions, including against Richmond.
Longmuir admitted that there are some lingering issues he's dealing with, but suggests that Treacy's form can play a part.
"He's got a couple of things he's dealing with," Longmuir added.
"I'm sure he wouldn't use that as an excuse. But sometimes it can happen when one of your key forwards gets off the chain, and the ball goes through him (Treacy) a little bit more.
"There's things Jye needs to do better in his game, but I don't feel his far away either."
