FREMANTLE veteran Matthew Pavlich is set to miss Saturday's clash with the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba, while ruckman Jon Griffin has been cut down by a hamstring injury.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon has revealed Pavlich is battling a groin injury and a virus, and is unlikely to face the Lions.

Griffin (hamstring) will spend around three weeks on the sidelines, while the luckless Michael Apeness isn't expected to return until round 18 after undergoing surgery to fix his fractured collarbone.

Ruck duo Zac Clarke and Jack Hannath have been recalled, while 22-year-old swingman Tanner Smith will play just his third senior match.

Meanwhile, Lyon says anyone who thinks besieged Lions coach Justin Leppitsch should be axed needs to look at the facts.

Leppitsch's job has come under scrutiny following the Lions' 1-10 start to the season.

Overall, the 40-year-old has won only 12 of his 55 games at the helm, giving him a success rate of just 21.8 per cent.

Lions deputy chairman and football director Leigh Matthews insists Leppitsch's job is safe, saying the three-time premiership defender deserves more time in the role.

Leppitsch is contracted until the end of next season, and Lyon says anyone trying to push the third-year coach out of the role hasn't done their homework.

"We're all under pressure in this business, but I think Justin’s handled himself really well," Lyon said.

"(They've had) 34 changes on the list in three years.

"Those that are speculating and trying to lower the boom on him probably should look at the fact that they're rebuilding."

The Dockers have also come under the pump this season with an identical 1-10 record 

But unlike Leppitsch, Lyon's position isn't under threat this year, with the veteran coach locked in until 2020.