FREMANTLE forwards Chris Mayne and Michael Walters face uphill battles to be fit for Sunday's blockbuster clash with Essendon after both sustained significant ankle injuries during the Dockers' 58-point loss to Hawthorn last Friday night.

Both played on after suffering the injuries during the match but Ross Lyon told radio station 6PR's Sports Today on Monday night both will face a race against the clock to be right for the clash with the Bombers at Patersons Stadium.


"We've got some challenges," Lyon said.

"They look like significant ankles and we're still trying to work through them.

"Mayne is probably in better shape than Walters but we'll work through that."

Garrick Ibbotson will almost certainly miss several weeks after dislocating his right shoulder in the opening term against the Hawks. Lyon says surgery is not out of the question for the 26-year-old but the Dockers are hoping it will not be required.

"Garrick Ibbotson was a bit like Stephen Hill and Nat Fyfe in the last couple of years," Lyon said.

"Stephen was OK but Nat in the end needed an (operation). We'll see how he is. More often than not people get through with what he's got."

Round 3 Peel Thunder Match Report

The Dockers do have some reserves to call upon. Clancee Pearce gathered 39 disposals for Peel Thunder in the WAFL on Saturday, Colin Sylvia had 23 touches and kicked two goals, Anthony Morabito gathered 19 possessions and Josh Simpson had 23 disposals including 10 inside-50s.

Meanwhile, ruckman Zac Clarke continues to push his case for a recall after 38 hit-outs and a goal in the WAFL.

Clarke, Hannath free to play

In other positive news for the Dockers, Jonathon Griffin played his first game on the weekend on return from a knee reconstruction. Griffin played limited game time for Peel in his first match since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Collingwood in round seven last season.

Griffin returns to action

Griffin had 16 hit-outs and six disposals and his return will add depth to the Dockers' big-man department.  

Fremantle's injury list will be updated by 5.00pm today.