PROLIFIC Fremantle midfielder Lachie Neale faces a race to be fit for Matthew Pavlich's farewell on Sunday against the Western Bulldogs at Domain Stadium. 

Neale leads the AFL in disposals and contested possessions this year and needs just 21 disposals to break the record for the most disposals in a home and away season. 

He was named in the Dockers' final 22 on Friday afternoon but he was on very light duties at training at Fremantle Oval on Friday morning. He had a compression bandage on his right calf and had his right shoulder strapped.

Neale had a conversation with coach Ross Lyon, club doctor Peter Steele, senior physiotherapist Jeff Boyle and strength and conditioning coach Michael Dobbin while training was taking place.

Neale did a couple of low-intensity 50m runs shortly after and had some shots at goal before heading into the rooms.

He has been managed at training at various stages during the year due to soreness but has not missed a game. He has played 67 consecutive games since missing round two, 2014.   

The Dockers have made four changes for their final match of a dismal 2016 season.

Pavlich returns for his 353rd and final AFL game after a stellar 17-year career.

Zac Dawson returns from suspension and Matt de Boer, a long-time friend and teammate of Pavlich, has also been included for just his fourth game of the year and his first since Pavlich's 350th against the Sydney Swans in round 19.

Aaron Sandilands returns from a gluteal strain that kept him out of the trip to Sydney last week.

He will do the bulk of the ruck work with Michael Apeness for support, as both Zac Clarke and Jon Griffin have been omitted along with Sam Collins and Matt Taberner. 

Lyon had mooted the possibility of more sentimental selections but veteran utility Tendai Mzungu has been named as emergency.