FREMANTLE ruckman Aaron Sandilands is set to return after a long layoff next week but his comeback won't solve the multitude of problems plaguing the Dockers, coach Ross Lyon says.

The Sydney Swans spanked the Dockers by 90 points in Matthew Pavlich's 350th match on Sunday at Domain Stadium. It was the Dockers' worst loss under Lyon and his biggest loss in 236 matches as a senior coach. 

Lyon said both Sandilands and Hayden Ballantyne should return for the Western Derby next Sunday but conceded neither man will help solve the myriad of problems the Dockers have at the moment.

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"We have some genuine concerns out of this," Lyon said.

"Pre-season can't come quick enough at the minute.

"There's no silver bullet here. We just need to work our way through.

"We'll have bits and pieces returning but it's not a quick fix. Aaron should play next week. He should help us but it's a big ask. He hasn't played for 16 weeks.

"Ballantyne will probably come back but there's no quick fix here. People have got to stand up and take ownership and improve."

Sandilands has not played since the round three Western Derby when he suffered multiple rib fractures and a collapsed lung after copping knee in the ribs from Nic Naitanui.

Ballantyne has missed the last two matches due to a fractured cheekbone he suffered against Geelong.

Lyon lamented all facets of the Dockers' game against the Swans, from their ball movement out of defence to their lack of scoring efficiency inside 50. But their ruck situation has been a problem all year without Sandilands.

They have tried a number of different combinations without any success. On Sunday they used Zac Clarke with support from 194cm first-year defender Sam Collins.

Lyon said he would not do that again.

"No, not based on today I wouldn't have thought," Lyon said.

"Everyone continues to get an opportunity and we dissect from there.

"It's a moving feast … or famine.

"I've been asked numerous times whether it be an administrator, coach, or player about their futures and that's not fair to anybody.

"We are going to work through it and try and build a better football list, better coaching list and better administrative department. We need to get better in all areas. We'll never individualise. We need the fullness of time to work through those decisions."

WATCH: Ross Lyon's full post-match media conference

Michael Apeness is another player who will come into contention next week. He kicked five goals in his second WAFL game back from a broken collarbone and Lyon said the sports science staff would guide a decision on whether the 200cm key forward would be available to be selected against West Coast.

Lyon said the only pleasing aspects of the Dockers' loss were the 90 tackles that were laid and Alex Silvagni's performance on Lance Franklin with the defender keeping the superstar Swan to just two goals.

Zac Dawson faces a nervous wait from the Match Review Panel after a crude high-bump on Jake Lloyd.

Lyon said the Dockers would "wear" whatever outcome eventuates from that incident, said Silvagni had grabbed his opportunity.