FREMANTLE defenders Michael Johnson and Luke McPharlin face a crucial week of recovery ahead of the Grand Final after both received treatment for calf problems late in the preliminary final.
McPharlin returned from an eight-week layoff with a calf injury for the Dockers' qualifying final win over Geelong a fortnight ago, while All Australian backman Johnson missed selection the game, also with a sore calf.
Johnson said he wasn't entirely comfortable with his troublesome calf early in the win over the Sydney Swans.
"It was a bit tight but as the game went on it got better and better," Johnson said.
"I’ll be doing everything and anything that I can to get it right, but I’ve got faith in recovering and I’ll be doing everything I can to get it right.
"But you know, there’s a number of players who could be sore so we’ll be ticking all the boxes and making sure that we’re right to come out next week."
Meanwhile, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon is confident his side has what it takes to challenge clear favourite Hawthorn in next week's Grand Final.
Lyon guided the Dockers into their first ever Grand Final following a 25-point win over the Sydney Swans in the preliminary final at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night.
But despite believing the Hawks will be heavily favoured, Lyon says the Dockers' finals wins over Geelong and the Swans will give them enormous belief.
"There will be no doubt we will be underdogs - we have to travel," Lyon said.
"They have clearly been the best home and away team for the year, on wins and losses, but it's not about the best home and away team it's about the best finals team.
"And we have had two significant performances - in particular, the Geelong game was really significant, cracking it open to create an opportunity, not unlike Sydney did and Adelaide did the year before.
"So we go over knowing our best can challenge anyone."
Lyon will be coaching in his fourth Grand Final, including the 2010 draw and replay while the majority of the Fremantle players, save for Danyle Pearce and Zac Dawson, will be appearing in their first.
Lyon says that the side's preparation will be the same as usual.
"I'll tell them it's another game," he said.
"The real challenge is to let go of the ultimate distraction, which is the result, which it was tonight, which it was down at Geelong.
"So what do I tell them? We don't need to do anything different. We'll prepare them in exactly the same manner.
"There will be nothing new thrown at the players."
McPharlin returned from an eight-week layoff with a calf injury for the Dockers' qualifying final win over Geelong a fortnight ago, while All Australian backman Johnson missed selection the game, also with a sore calf.
Johnson said he wasn't entirely comfortable with his troublesome calf early in the win over the Sydney Swans.
"It was a bit tight but as the game went on it got better and better," Johnson said.
"I’ll be doing everything and anything that I can to get it right, but I’ve got faith in recovering and I’ll be doing everything I can to get it right.
"But you know, there’s a number of players who could be sore so we’ll be ticking all the boxes and making sure that we’re right to come out next week."
Meanwhile, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon is confident his side has what it takes to challenge clear favourite Hawthorn in next week's Grand Final.
Lyon guided the Dockers into their first ever Grand Final following a 25-point win over the Sydney Swans in the preliminary final at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night.
But despite believing the Hawks will be heavily favoured, Lyon says the Dockers' finals wins over Geelong and the Swans will give them enormous belief.
"There will be no doubt we will be underdogs - we have to travel," Lyon said.
"They have clearly been the best home and away team for the year, on wins and losses, but it's not about the best home and away team it's about the best finals team.
"And we have had two significant performances - in particular, the Geelong game was really significant, cracking it open to create an opportunity, not unlike Sydney did and Adelaide did the year before.
"So we go over knowing our best can challenge anyone."
Lyon will be coaching in his fourth Grand Final, including the 2010 draw and replay while the majority of the Fremantle players, save for Danyle Pearce and Zac Dawson, will be appearing in their first.
Lyon says that the side's preparation will be the same as usual.
"I'll tell them it's another game," he said.
"The real challenge is to let go of the ultimate distraction, which is the result, which it was tonight, which it was down at Geelong.
"So what do I tell them? We don't need to do anything different. We'll prepare them in exactly the same manner.
"There will be nothing new thrown at the players."
