Nat Fyfe will be touch and go to play in Fremantle's first NAB Challenge clash but Fremantle Dockers coach Ross Lyon says it's more important his star midfielder is ready for the home and away season.
Fyfe tweaked his hamstring at training on February 13. He was stretching to take a mark on the lead at the end of a two-and-a-half hour session and felt some discomfort.
The club diagnosed the injury as a minor hamstring strain. Fyfe did not play in Freo's intra-club match on Saturday but did complete a running session that morning.
Fremantle were hopeful on Saturday that Fyfe would be fit to face Melbourne in their first NAB Challenge match on Thursday 5 March.
However, while speaking at Fremantle's season launch on Tuesday, Lyon said it wasn't important for the dual best and fairest winner to play next week.
"It's a 21-day rehab," Lyon said.
"Maybe a bit less for Nathan. But I don't think it's really important.
"I think everyone would like to see him round one, so that's the aim."
Fyfe said he was itching to play despite the minor injury. The 2014 AFL Players' Association MVP revealed he had added some bulk to his frame during the off-season.
"I want to be a more explosive player in the midfield," Fyfe said.
"I've put on a couple of kilos and really progressed from last year. I've had a little hiccup with this hamstring but I'm looking forward to a big NAB Challenge series."
Fyfe's fitness is vital to Fremantle's success this season as is the fitness of veteran defender Luke McPharlin.
The 33-year-old has enjoyed a fabulous pre-season after taking some time during the off-season to decide whether he would play in 2015.
McPharlin ran a personal best in a 3km time-trial. He revealed he achieved the feat by crawling across the line after collapsing 10m short of the finish.
Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich described McPharlin as an "extremely important" member of the side.
Fans should be proud, says Pavlich
He also said it is realistic to expect McPharlin would be managed throughout the season to ensure he is fit in the latter stages of the year.
McPharlin has missed two out of the past three finals campaigns due to injury and also missed eight weeks in the lead-up to the 2013 finals series before playing all three finals that season.
Pavlich said he and McPharlin understood they could both be rested at certain stages this year.
"It's more realistic for Luke," Pavlich said.
"He's missed chunks of footy, really big chunks of footy at the back end of seasons so that's the potential.
"But I think he and I are in a similar case. We really want to play every game because it's a special group to be a part of and it's a special time for the football club.
"What that actually means as the season progresses we don't know but there's no plan in place as yet to be managed."
