ZAC DAWSON'S continued absence has forced Fremantle's Michael Johnson to change his role in defence this season.

Johnson will become the ninth Docker to play 200 games for the club on Friday night when Fremantle hosts Richmond at Domain Stadium.

The 30-year-old has been a key pillar of the Dockers' defence in recent years and was named All Australian in 2013, playing a flexible role as a sweeper on either the third opposition tall or a small forward.

But Dawson has not played a game this season with groin issues troubling him throughout the pre-season and the first two months of the year. He finally returned in the WAFL last Saturday only to break his thumb, which will require surgery that will keep him out for a few weeks. 

"It makes me man up a bit more," Johnson said of Dawson's absence from the side.

"I am playing more the second tall now and locking down on one of the key forwards. So myself and Luke (McPharlin) will rotate that job and that allows Garrick Ibbotson to play my role that I have done in the last few years. But the team is going really well at the moment in the back six and we have a lot of players rotating through there."

The Dockers remain the No.1 defence in the competition, conceding just 62 points per game, and Johnson said they hadn't been stretched for height at all.

"I think that with us having two talls and having Garrick Ibbotson playing that third tall gives us more run out of the back line," Johnson said.

"It would be nice to play on a couple of the smalls and run up the field and get a bit of the ball, but that's how it is. We have some key defenders injured at the moment so other players have to step up and play their role." 

Johnson said he was honoured to reach the 200-game milestone and join some of his idols.

"Fremantle was the team I supported as a youngster and to be named along with those other players who have played over 200 games will be something special," Johnson said.

"It is going to be a big night, not only for myself but for my friends and family and to run out through the banner with my kids." 

Johnson is a proud indigenous man and a leader within his community who represents his heritage as well as any player in the competition.

He said he supported Adam Goodes’ tribute to indigenous culture last Friday night and wished he could kick a few more goals so he could do the same. 

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"I just thought it was a proud moment for himself and indigenous culture and the community," Johnson said.

"It's a dance that we all learnt on the (AFL indigenous) camp and I reckon that if I was up kicking goals as well I would've broke out and done the same.

"Credit to him. He's standing tall. He's proud to be indigenous and I just think that it was just a fantastic tribute."

Johnson said he felt lucky to play 200 games, given the injuries and misfortune some of his teammates have suffered. He said Anthony Morabito's story had put things into perspective for him.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon confirmed on Monday that Morabito was unlikely to play this year as he waited for bone bruising to settle in his knee but Johnson backed Morabito to continue to fight on next season. 

"He's been through a lot," Johnson said.

"I don't think he'll give up this easy. Knowing Anthony, he'll want to keep going because he's still young as well. He's got plenty of footy left in him and all he's got to do is just relax and get his knee right and he should be fine."

Johnson also said that long-time teammate Ryan Crowley was in his thoughts this week. Crowley is just 12 games short of 200 but he may not get there, depending on the outcome of his AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal case.

The hearing was held on May 18 but the Tribunal is still yet to hand down its findings. Johnson said Crowley had been a very positive influence around the club in recent times. 

"He's not dropping his head as yet," Johnson said.