FREMANTLE defender Alex Silvagni will play his first game of the season against St Kilda in place of the suspended Zac Dawson despite a limited preparation due to a significant hamstring injury.
Coach Ross Lyon confirmed on Friday morning that Silvagni would definitely play provided he did not suffer any mishaps at the Dockers' final training session on Friday morning before they fly to Melbourne on Friday afternoon.
Silvagni has not played for Fremantle since the qualifying final against the Sydney Swans last season. He injured his hamstring during the pre-season before returning in the WAFL on April 26, only to suffer a significant hamstring tear that required surgery.
Silvagni missed 11 weeks before playing restricted minutes in the WAFL reserves three weeks ago. He missed the following week with soreness and Peel had a bye last weekend.
But Lyon confirmed he would play this week.
"We've got no concerns," Lyon said on Friday morning.
"Alex has definitely played one (game) and then trained on. He was just a bit (sore). He's actually in better physical condition than probably Zac is."
Silvagni's selection to play as a key defender allows the Dockers to keep young key position player Alex Pearce up forward after he was successfully trialed there against the Giants. Pearce took five marks and kicked a goal, although he failed to register a score with three other shots.
Strangely, Pearce and star forward Michael Walters trained with the Peel Thunder group at Friday's training session.
Lyon gave no indication that Pearce would not play. He said he just wanted to compete as he did against the Giants.
"He showed some good signs moving to the ball," Lyon said.
"He's composed with the ball. Once he freed up kicking for goal, he slotted a nice one. They're only young players. They're going to go up and down a little bit, but we always start with competing. So if he comes and competes, we'll be pretty happy."
Forward Chris Mayne underwent an agility test at training to check the ankle that he tweaked against the Giants. He appeared to pass the test without issue and re-joined the main group.
Key defender Michael Johnson also trained with the main group and Lyon confirmed he was on track to come back into the side against West Coast next week.
Star midfielder Nat Fyfe was absent from training on Friday after he was ruled out of the Saints clash on Thursday due to an ongoing groin issue. Lyon said he was confident Fyfe would be right to face the Eagles but, like Johnson, he said he would need to pass all the fitness tests next week to get through.