Fremantle coach Ross Lyon insists champion midfielder Nat Fyfe can keep playing despite a lingering knee niggle.
Fyfe appeared to move a little gingerly on occasions in the Dockers' 59-point loss to Sydney at the SCG on Saturday.
Nat Fyfe moved a little gingerly against the Swans.
Photo: AAP
He was still one of their better players in a disappointing team display, notching 28 possessions, 13 of them contested.
Fyfe even won eight hitouts in the ruck and spent time forward as Freo sought inspiration after kicking just two goals in the first three quarters.
After the game, Lyon revealed more details about the issue Fyfe is facing.
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"A few weeks ago, we thought he had some knee problem, but the scan revealed it to be OK," Lyon said.
"It's just a ligament that can move around a little bit and click and it worries him a little bit.
"It happened Thursday, I don't know where, and then he was OK.
"Then just in the warm-up, the doc has come in, I think it was on tape on vision, he felt (it) a little bit.
"But I thought he played very well, Nathan, it didn't restrict him and Connor Blakely has had the same thing for a year.
"It's just something that can niggle away a little bit but doesn't seem to stop you.
"He's been training fully and every now and then it will catch, so he's alright, but it's not a meniscus at all."
Fremantle dominated the hitouts through Aaron Sandilands before he moved forward for the last quarter but failed to capitalise on plenty of early possession and shots at goal.
Lyon lamented the Dockers' wastefulness in not converting turnovers.
He was also disappointed at his team's lack of forward pressure and allowing Sydney's strong defence to take several intercept marks.
Lyon moved players around later in the game and the Dockers did kick five goals in the last quarter, though they were still outscored in that term.
"I thought we never gave up," Lyon said.
He drew encouragement from the efforts of some of his youngsters.
"I think (Bailey) Banfield and (Andrew) Bradshaw and (Adam) Cerra continue to grow," Lyon said.
Freo hope key defender Joel Hamling will recover from concussion in time for next Sunday's home game against North Melbourne.
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