Fremantle has confirmed that Brandon Walker will replace Judd McVee for the club's qualifying final clash against Hawthorn on Thursday night.
Rumours emerged on Tuesday McVee could face selection scrutiny with confirmation coming on Wednesday evening as the Dockers confirmed five changes.
Walker has played just one game this season - the round 1 loss to Geelong - but the Dockers have preferred him as the man to quell Hawthorn's dangerous small forward line led by star youngster Nick Watson.
Walker, 185cm, has 67 games of experience and was a mainstay in 2024 but has played just three games in the last two seasons.
Watson kicked three goals in a dynamic performance the last time the two teams faced off.
The Dockers defence is the line which has been mildly queried entering the clash having conceded 100 points in two of their last three games after doing so just twice in the first 20 games, though they have had some unavailability and managed players' game time.
Meanwhile, Murphy Reid has been confirmed to return from his groin injury, while Jye Amiss, Sam Switkowski and Heath Chapman all return to the lineup.
Tobyn Murray, Bailey Banfield and Chris Scerri have all been omitted while Brennan Cox comes out with his calf strain.
