WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson has confirmed Josh Kennedy will definitely return for Sunday's western derby against Fremantle, but Drew Petrie appears the man most likely to make way.

Petrie has played a vital role for the Eagles this season, with the 34-year-old holding down a key spot up forward as well as pinch-hitting in the ruck during Kennedy's six-week injury absence.

But with ruckman Scott Lycett now back in the side and Kennedy set to return, it appears Petrie will be the one who will be squeezed out instead of Nathan Vardy.

Simpson paid tribute to Petrie's selflessness.

"I had the pleasure of playing with Drew for 10 years, so I knew what attributes he would bring," Simpson said.

"We got Drew in as a back-up. He missed seven weeks with his broken hand. But since he's come back, you can't knock his performance and his attitude and his prep.

"He's willing to put his hand up when it's time to have a rest, or time to play at East Perth."

Dockers coach Ross Lyon is confident defender Joel Hamling (hip) will recover in time to take on Kennedy.

And he said Brad Hill was a definite starter despite nursing a sore calf this week.

Simpson said the return of Kennedy would be a big boost to his side's victory hopes.

"He's an experienced campaigner who's played well in big games," Simpson said.

"He's hard to play on. Even when he's having poor games he's playing on the best defender.

"He's an asset to us."