FREMANTLE wingman Bradley Hill is wary about Lachie Neale rising to the challenge of facing his ex-teammates, and doubts the Brisbane star will be fazed by Dockers fans' boos at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

Neale returns to the west for the first time as a Lion after his stunning trade demand in the days leading up to his second Doig Medal win last year.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon has called on the Freo players and crowd to make the environment "hopefully as rough as we can dish out" ahead of the crucial clash for both finals hopefuls.

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But Hill expects his normally unflappable former teammate to embrace the hostile reception.

"It's obviously going to be interesting. He was a terrific player for Fremantle," Hill told AFL.com.au.

"He's a tough, inside player and I don't think the boos will do too much to distract him.

"He'll just go about his footy and keep playing the way he's been playing.

"I think he can get a little bit chirpy, but I don't know how he's going to be against his old teammates.

"He definitely can get fired up pretty easily as well. I'm sure he'll love the challenge."

Neale has been in career-best form since his switch to Brisbane and was instrumental in the one-point victory over Adelaide last round with 39 touches and 12 clearances.

The prolific midfielder is a close second-favourite to claim the Brownlow Medal behind Carlton superstar Patrick Cripps according to BetEasy, and can expect close attention from Freo.

The Dockers resisted recalling tagging option Bailey Banfield, but could send Darcy Tucker or, tantalisingly, Neale's former housemate Andrew Brayshaw to nullify him.

"I don't know if he's going to get tagged or anything, but I'm sure the boys will enjoy the challenge and are looking forward to playing against him," Hill said.

After three-straight losses, and with Collingwood to come at the MCG before the bye, the Lions clash is a must-win for Fremantle to keep in the finals race.

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The Dockers are precariously placed at 4-5 and had an emphasis on tidying up their ball use and picking the best option going inside 50 at training on Wednesday.

Freo has averaged only 58 points in the past three rounds and, after chopping and changing the forward personnel most of the season, has to adjust to life without spearhead Matt Taberner (foot).

"It's not just the forwards, it's just in general our ball movement needs a little bit of work, just a bit of our finishing touches and hitting those lead-ups and what not, probably getting the ball a little bit deeper," Hill said.

"We've been turning the ball over a little bit high in our forward 50, so obviously that's the thing we've been focusing on this week is our ball movement, so hopefully we can bring it to life."

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