FREMANTLE will assess defender Cameron Sutcliffe after he left Sunday's JLT Community Series 10-point loss to Adelaide with a head knock.

Sutcliffe copped an accidental knee to his head from Crows ruckman Reilly O'Brien in the third quarter of the pre-season clash at Strathalbyn Oval.

He didn't play any further part in the game as the Dockers' medical staff took no chances with the 25-year-old, who has played 100 games for the club.

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"I think it was blurred vision, they tapped him out," Dockers coach Ross Lyon said.

"I haven't got the medical report, we'll update you as (we know more).

"We looked after him."

The Dockers will play West Coast behind closed doors in a practice match next weekend before facing the Eagles again on March 11 at Joondalup.

Skipper Nat Fyfe was outstanding through the midfield but also in attack, key forward Matt Taberner booted three goals and looked lively, while No.2 overall draft pick Andrew Brayshaw caught the eye.

The Dockers came back from a 29-point deficit to take the lead late in the game, but the Crows kicked three goals to steal the victory.

Lyon said the new rule on restricting the use of runners placed more emphasis on the players to put the onus on themselves.

"We knew it was a game-save situation, but we wanted to leave a big space between the leadership on the ground and the box, so we just let it unfold," Lyon said.

"We got some really good learnings out of that.

"There were some things we could've driven harder, but it's a really good learning opportunity to show those clips and just then walk through them and learn from them.

"We're trying to leave a bigger space between the box and the on-field leadership."

WATCH: Adelaide v Fremantle highlights

It was also the first game for former Greater Western Sydney defender Nathan Wilson and ex-Gold Coast forward Brandon Matera.

"It was hard (for Matera), I thought second half he looked dangerous once we played better," Lyon said.

"He'll be good for us.

"I thought (Wilson) was solid."

The Crows will also have a game next week, scheduling an intraclub match on Saturday to give stars such as Rory Sloane, Eddie Betts and Richard Douglas valuable match practice.

All three were rested from Sunday's game, allowing rookie-listed draftee Lachlan Murphy to be a round one bolter.

Murphy booted three goals in a small forward role, a position that is suddenly open with injuries to Riley Knight and Jordan Gallucci, along with Charlie Cameron's move to Brisbane.

"Today he's shown he's capable of playing at the level, which is all he can do," Crows coach Don Pyke said.

"He brought a real energy and spark to our forward half.

"If he continues to play like that he's going to give himself a fair chance."

WATCH: Don Pyke's full post-match media conference

Star recruit Bryce Gibbs made an immediate impact in his first game for the Crows.

"That connection he gets with the ruckman and the other mids is important," Pyke said.