EVERY coach in the competition would want the quandary of how to squeeze a healthy Jesse Hogan into their side.
For Ross Lyon, that could be his 'dilemma' ahead of Fremantle's trip to face Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium in round two.
Uncertainty surrounds Hogan's availability as he deals with anxiety, and Lyon offered little clarity in the aftermath of Sunday's 82-point demolition of North Melbourne.
"It's in the hands of our medical team and everything that goes with that," he said.
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While Hogan certainly won't be rushed, it is understood the marquee forward is keen to train this week and put up his hand to play.
"He's been really good," fellow recruit Rory Lobb told AFL.com.au.
"The boys are getting around him, the club is handling it really well, and hopefully we'll see him out there soon."
If Hogan returns to the selection mix to take on the Suns, the Dockers match committee will face some tough calls in attack.
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That was the scenario envisaged once the former Melbourne star and ex-Giants big man Lobb were secured during last year's NAB AFL Trade Period, but nobody could have foreseen the situation where some have suggested Hogan should be unleashed through the midfield after a blistering 21-goal destruction of the Roos in his absence.
As the season approached, Matt Taberner and Brennan Cox were fighting it out for the last spot in an expected three-pronged tall attack alongside the big-name recruits.
Meanwhile, many tipped Cam McCarthy to start a make-or-break final season of his three-year contract in the WAFL, especially after he was overlooked for both JLT Community Series games.
However, after Cox pulled a hamstring and Hogan was ruled out, McCarthy seized his round-one chance and responded with his best performance in purple.
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By drilling five-straight goals from 20 touches, the ex-Giant proved he is far from a spent force and created some welcome selection headaches.
Relieved of pressure to be 'the man', McCarthy showed why Fremantle agreed to slide down from pick three to seven in a complex 2016 trade for a player who had bagged 35 goals in his just his second season a year earlier.
"I played a fair bit of footy with him at the Giants, and him playing as that third tall (forward), he's a really good hit-up player and he's got good skills," Lobb said.
"He's been one of the hardest workers all pre-season.
"He was unlucky to miss out in the JLTs, but him coming in and playing his role was unreal.
You get your opportunity, you perform, and you hold your spot.
The Dockers will have to make one change in round two, with Hayden Ballantyne (hamstring) likely to be replaced by goalsneak Brandon Matera returning from suspension.
However, that might not be a fait accompli, and Lyon will have to think carefully about maintaining the mix of aerial threat and swarming pressure which overwhelmed a fragile North Melbourne backline.
"I think off the back of our pressure we kicked a lot of goals," Lobb said.
"Those smalls like (Lachie) Schultz coming in and playing his role and tackling, we've got Bailey Banfield who can play tall or small and he's a ferocious tackler.
"I think the way we pressure and came out of the back half helped us score."
If Hogan is ready, Taberner – who took a game-high nine marks against North Melbourne – could be the unlucky tall to miss out, unless Fremantle finds a way to play all four together.
Although Lobb didn't hold his first mark until the third quarter, he was a focal point inside 50 and adds value giving Sean Darcy a chop out in the ruck.
The 206cm beanpole grew in confidence before finishing with three contested grabs and two goals in a Dockers debut he can build on after 74 games and 64 majors at Greater Western Sydney.
"We're just slowly getting that connection (with the midfield)," Lobb said.
"I haven't played a lot of footy with these boys.
"That started to develop over pre-season and I feel like that's only going to build from here the more we play with each other."
