Ross Lyon has confirmed Alex Silvagni will slot straight into the club’s defence for Saturday’s game against Richmond at the MCG.

The Fremantle senior coach said Anthony Morabito was also under “strong consideration” after a good WAFL performance.

Freo will be without All Australian defenders Luke McPharlin and Michael Johnson for the clash with the Tigers. The pair are both out with knee injuries.

Lyon said Silvagni was an obvious selection choice.

“He’s basically in,” Lyon said.

Morabito was dominant for Peel Thunder on the weekend, and the performance impressed Lyon.

“I thought he jumped a level on the weekend,” Lyon said.

“It was as well as I've seen Anthony play this year, and clearly since I've been here.

“It's really exciting.”

Freo will name its team for Saturday’s game at 4.25pm WST on Thursday, and if Morabito is selected, Lyon said it would be reward for hard work.

“We've been banging in extra work to him, and actually flattening him out a bit for the WAFL,” he said.

“He's gaining it inch by inch, and that's the way it's done.

“I'm sure if you ask Anthony he'll go 'I'm ready, and I want to play this week'. But he's like the others, he goes through aselection process based on our objective of winning the game.”

Lyon said Silvagni had great character and was one of the most popular players at the club.

He added the defender had improved markedly since he started as senior coach in late 2011.

“When I walked through the door he was building his body,” he said.

“He couldn’t do full training. Now he fully trains, he’s built his body, and there’s some real method.

“He was a desperate defender, but he’s worked on developing a method and some skills and he’s really improved. He stood up in a final for us at the MCG and I’ve got full confidence in Alex.”

Lyon also refuted suggestions Silvagni had a chance to make a name for himself in the next month with McPharlin and Johnson sidelined.

“I think he’s (already) built his name,” he said.

“He’s done a really strong apprenticeship.

“We really value him and he’s competing against some elite defenders in McPharlin and Johnson and (Zac) Dawson.

“His time will come and it’s coming now. He’ll fit in seamlessly is what we think.”