Fremantle’s players don’t step up when leaders Matthew Pavlich and Luke McPharlin are out of the side – they don’t need to, Paul Duffield says.

The elder statesmen of the club have missed multiple games this season, with captain Pavlich only appearing five of 18 games so far.

McPharlin has been sidelined for five games and won’t return until the end of the home and away season.

But their absence hasn’t affected on-field performance, with Fremantle currently inside the top four after 19 rounds.

Duffield said every player in Ross Lyon’s team, regardless of their experience, was expected to perform any role required, and that they didn’t need the absence of a senior player in order to lift.

“I think we all lead pretty well within our own rights at any given stage,” Duffield said.

“Obviously, when those guys are out, it probably changes a few things structurally and with match-ups.

“But between the whole group, whether it’s a younger player coming through like a Cam Sutcliffe, or a senior player, we all expect everyone to have a fair understanding of what’s going on and to be able to get it done.”

Duffield said that sort of versatility was a crucial ingredient to any successful team, particularly in the modern game.

“With the fact that we have three on the bench and one substitute now, you’ve got guys that have to play a multitude of roles at any given time,” he said.
“It’s really important that you’ve got players who can come in and fill different roles on game day, no matter what happens.”

Senior coach Ross Lyon recently acknowledged that resting players in the run home to the finals was an option, but Duffield said his preference was to stay in the side.

The 28-year-old missed two games with a calf injury in rounds 15 and 16 this year, which he said was enough time on the sidelines.

“I’d definitely prefer to keep playing,” he said.

“It’s good to consistently keep going about your business, which I’m sure all the senior players would say.”