Fremantle senior coach Ross Lyon hopes the fallout from the Western Derby hasn't become a distraction for his players and instead fuels their desire against Carlton on Sunday.

Lyon said that the season-ending injury to Andrew Brayshaw - which has stolen the headlines this week around the country – has only galvanised a team looking to finish the season strongly.

"You've got to bring a passion. My expectation (that) the same passion (from the Western Derby is) brought to the Carlton game this weekend," Lyon said.

"That's the most critical thing, and the same level of desperation and commitment that will stand us in really good stead.

“That’s the challenge for our group. You can’t live in the past, you’ve got to move on.

“Carlton and (senior coach) Brendon Bolton are already speaking about contested ball and tackling pressure, so forewarned is forearmed and we know what’s coming. 

“(The Brayshaw incident) is a potential distraction if you let it be but we’ve got to let it fuel our preparation and desire to perform well.”

Lyon praised the work of Fremantle’s leaders for helping to drive the playing group this week. 

“I thought our leaders got around the young guys and held themselves together really well and were quite dignified in a real sense,” Lyon said. 

“When there’s a significant event, it tends to bring you together.

“We’re looking to produce a passionate and committed performance.”

Lyon said Fremantle would pay particular attention for Carlton’s rucks at the selection table, with the Blues a chance to name both Matthew Kreuzer and Matthew Lobbe.

Kreuzer has missed the past three weeks with a heart issue with Lobbe coming in and impressing - averaging 40.7 hitouts from his three appearances. 

“I don’t think they’ve played (two rucks) all year but we know Kreuzer is so mobile. He’s that really mobile tall, almost a ruck rover,” Lyon said.

“They could play both of them and there are teams that have played both against us, if you look at (West Coast’s) Nathan Vardy and Scott Lycett last week, so they might feel there’s an advantage in that.

“We know (Kreuzer’s) a fierce competitor, a real leader of their team and high-end talent, so we will have to try and plan for both of them.”