Best 22
B: Paul Duffield, Zac Dawson, Lee Spurr
HB: Cameron Sutcliffe, Luke McPharlin, Michael Johnson
C: Stephen Hill, David Mundy, Danyle Pearce
HF: Chris Mayne, Matt Taberner, Hayden Ballantyne
F: Michael Walters, Matthew Pavlich, Zac Clarke
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Nat Fyfe, Michael Barlow
I/C: Lachie Neale, Nick Suban, Garrick Ibbotson
Sub: Hayden Crozier

Health of the list
Freo were relatively healthy until a couple of weeks ago. Zac Dawson is having trouble with his groins and may miss the opening few rounds while Alex Silvagni has a hamstring injury that will rule him out of round one at least. Hayden Ballantyne will be touch and go for round one with a calf issue but it's not major worry. Anthony Morabito is still enduring issues with his knee and is a long way from playing at the moment. Colin Sylvia remains at Peel Thunder with no return date in sight. Ryan Crowley is unavailable to play until the result of his May 1 AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal hearing is known.

HBF Injury Update: Tuesday 31 March

The big questions
-Can Fremantle kick a winning score in the finals?
Ross Lyon has talked regularly over the past few seasons about adding scoring power. Freo have proved they can defend on the big stage and they beat Hawthorn and Port Adelaide in the home and away season last year. But kicking a winning score in finals has been a problem. They kicked themselves out of the semi-final loss to Port in the same manner they did in the 2013 Grand Final. They have worked hard on their goalkicking over the summer as well as developing more avenues to goal. They will be hopeful that work pays dividends in September.

-Can Luke McPharlin remain fit for the finals campaign?
The 2012 All Australian remains a vital member of the Freo Dockers side but his injuries in the latter stages of the past three seasons has caused problems for Fremantle. He missed the entire 2012 finals series due a hamstring injury. He missed eight weeks in the lead-up to the 2013 finals series with a calf injury, and he missed last year's finals series due to a similar problem. Fremantle have talked openly about managing the veteran this year. They have options if he breaks down but they would dearly love him fit and available at the business end of the season.

'Super' McPharlin just wants footy back

Summer standout
Cameron Sutcliffe, 22, was named as Freo’s player of the finals last year alongside Dawson and he has backed it up with a superb summer. His form in the NAB Challenge has been very impressive. He has been able to drift off his opponents in the back half and use his pace and distribution skills very well. He can also kick goals. Looks set for a big year.

Fantasy cash cow
Lachie Neale. The 21-year-old midfielder is priced at $466,000 after averaging 82.3 points per game last year. But that average factored in an inconsistent start to the season. He was the starting sub in round one and an emergency in round two. He averaged 30 possessions across his last five matches last season, including two finals. He averaged 95 points in the NAB Challenge that included a 131-point game against the Sydney Swans.

AFL Fantasy season preview: Freo

Sudden impact
Ross Lyon rarely plays first-year players in his side but Connor Blakely may be the exception. He won't play the entire year but if there are any injuries to key midfielders expect him to get an opportunity and pick up the pace of AFL football quickly. He had 30 possessions for Peel in the WAFL last weekend. He showed glimpses in limited opportunities in the three NAB Challenge matches. He is similar to David Mundy in size and his movement around the ground. Looks a promising player.

Pivotal match: round four v Sydney Swans
The Freo Dockers face a brutal first month of the season. They host Port Adelaide, travel to Geelong and face West Coast before they meet the Swans at home in round four. That match could define their year. A win could launch them into the heart of the season with great confidence. A loss on the back of one or two losses in the first three rounds could see them playing catch up for the remainder of the year.

The Freo Dockers will have a good year if…
… they remain healthy. It sounds obvious but Freo’s best 22, playing Ross Lyon's system, is very hard to beat anywhere, anytime. But when they lose key components such as All Australians like Nat Fyfe, Hayden Ballantyne, Aaron Sandilands, Matthew Pavlich, Michael Johnson and Luke McPharlin, life becomes exceeding difficult for Fremantle, much like any side. If they can go 3-1 or even 2-2 through the first month and remain injury free, they will set themselves up to be right in the mix to make a preliminary final.

AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: Fourth