Senior coach Ross Lyon has confirmed at least two changes for Fremantle's clash with Melbourne on Saturday night at TIO Stadium. 

Fremantle head into the game needing to replace the injured Aaron Sandilands (calf) and Nat Fyfe (hamstring).

Lyon confirmed that both ruckman Sean Darcy and midfielder Bradley Hill will return with the pair coming off long stints on the sidelines with injury. 

The remainder of the team will be announced at 4.20pm on Thursday afternoon via fremantlefc.com.au.

“At the minute it’s a bit up in the air. We’re looking to get the feedback but the two certainties are (Bradley) Hill and Sean Darcy,” Lyon said. 

“There’s a little bit to work through so we’ll take that time today and release the team.” 

Lyon said Darcy will team up in the ruck with Michael Apeness, with the pair facing a big test against Melbourne’s Max Gawn.

Darcy injured his knee playing for Peel in round two of the WAFL season and has played the past two games for the Thunder as he makes his comeback.

Last week against Swan Districts, Darcy collected 31 hitouts and kicked three goals.

“Sean got through training (on Thursday) and he’ll partner up with Michael Apeness, so that’s pleasing,” Lyon said.

“He’s had a rough run. He’s a part of our future and he’s a big powerful ruckman.

“Ideally, it would be nice if had a couple more (weeks) to build but the reality of the situation is he needs to play.”

Darcy and Apeness have only 19 games' experience between them but Lyon was confident the big men could compete against the 2016 All Australian ruckman, who leads the League in hit-outs (47.1 per match).

Gawn powers the Demons' engine room, and Melbourne is ranked No.1 for contested possesions and third for clearances, while Freo is 17th and 11th respectively.  

"It's certainly a challenge, but when I look in their eyes they're both (Apeness and Darcy) fierce competitors," Lyon said. 

"They'll win their fair share and if you lose a few, as long as you're giving your maximum effort.

"Max Gawn wasn't always the player he was and he publicly talks about his story, about how he had to learn application and learn that craft and then took a number of years to become a top-flight (ruckman).

"That's the part of the story we recognise for everyone, it takes time and effort and our guys are on that path."