Ross Lyon is not concerned at the lack of a lower level fixture this weekend for his returning stars to gain valuable match-time in.

A host of players returned from injury in Peel Thunder’s round 1 WAFL game last weekend, including Garrick Ibbotson, Zac Clarke and Alex Silvagni.

But the only way for them to play this weekend would be in the AFL side against Gold Coast in Saturday’s Starlight Purple Haze Game, proudly supported by Fremantle Ports.

Lyon said it was not an ideal situation, but one the club had to deal with.

“The WAFL has done their best, our later byes are matched up, but unfortunately this one doesn’t quite work out,” he said.

“But that’s okay, we’ve got the wherewithal to be able to train them in an intense manner and keep them fit.”

In previous WAFL seasons, before Freo’s alignment with Peel, the AFL side’s players could be played in opposing reserves’ teams if their club had the bye.

This was no longer the case, but that didn’t bother Lyon, who called the current arrangement “fair”.

“They can’t play, that’s where it sits,” he said.

“We’ve got to be mature enough and professional enough to work around it, which I think we are.”

Lyon said Clarke, who had injured his knee in early January, was “unlikely” to face the Suns, but he was confident the ruckman could play if required.

However, the senior coach said getting back in the team was not a formality for Clarke.

“We think Jack (Hannath) and Aaron (Sandilands) are going quite well,” he said.

“The incumbents have got the advantage and, at the end of the day, Zac’s got to force his way in, that’s the way it works.

“No one has knocked on my door in the 22 and said ‘I’m happy to give my spot away for Zac’, so Zac’s got a bit of work to do.”

This Saturday’s game against Gold Coast is the 12th annual Starlight Purple Haze Game, proudly supported by Fremantle Ports. Fans are encouraged to dress in purple and donate generously at the gates before bounce down.