Sydney may head west with several stars missing from its team list but Fremantle senior coach Ross Lyon says games are not won on paper.

Lyon told Seven News on Tuesday that Fremantle could not treat Sydney lightly, despite the Swans missing key players Lance Franklin, Kieran Jack, Nick Smith and Luke Parker for Saturday’s Qualifying Final.

“Paper teams mean nothing,” he said.

“We need to focus on what we need to do to get over the team they bring.”

Match Day Information: Fremantle v Sydney

Lyon said the notable absence of Franklin would take a shine off the game.

Franklin was ruled out of the Domain Stadium clash due to ongoing mental health issues

“It takes the gloss of the game in a sense,” Lyon said.

“(But) his personal well-being supercedes that of the game.

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“He is an absolute start of the game, I’ve met him and really enjoy his company.”

Lyon said star midfielder Nat Fyfe was staking his claim to make the 22 but said he still had some “hurdles to jump” later this week.

“Fyfe took another step forward today,” he said.

“It’s looking more likely than unlikely.

“If he’s healthy to play he’ll play, if not, we’ll take more time to get him right.

“We wouldn’t risk Fyfe in the short term.”