Carlton coach Brett Ratten and his Fremantle counterpart Mark Harvey both drew a line in the sand this week.

Now, they're hoping their charges do the same in Sunday's AFL clash at Subiaco Oval.

Ratten made a whopping five changes to the team that was humiliated to the tune of 69 points by Essendon last week.

Nick Stevens and Heath Scotland were the high profile casualties, while Jordan Bannister and Steven Browne were also cut down to size.

Paul Bower couldn't be considered due to a knee injury.

Fremantle made only two changes, of which one was forced, but the message from Harvey was clear in his suspension of Dean Solomon - only the best preparation will do.

Solomon was given permission to remain in Melbourne last weekend following the Dockers' 84-point loss to Collingwood.

But while the club thought Solomon would use the time wisely, the former Bomber caught up with Essendon's Mark McVeigh for a marathon drinking session instead.

Although Solomon fulfilled all of his training obligations upon his return to Perth, Harvey and the club's leadership group deemed his actions were inappropriate.

Harvey is hoping the club-imposed suspension will put the rest of the group on notice.

The Blues, precariously placed at 6-7 following two losses on the trot, have also been put on notice ahead of what could prove to be a season-defining match for Ratten's men.

Fremantle have won 10 of their past 11 matches against Carlton, including a surprise seven-point win on the Gold Coast in round seven.

But the Dockers have failed to win a game since, a six-game losing streak Harvey is desperate to end.

"That (win over Carlton) was pleasing going back, the team needed it at the time and we need it again now," Harvey said.

"It's an important phase for our playing group over the next nine weeks.

"We need to get the best out of ourselves, whoever we've got available for selection.

"It would be fair to say we are down to 26, 27 (fit) players at selection.

"It provides everyone with an opportunity that's fit, and hopefully the team can rally on the back of falling out of the game last week."

The loss of Matthew Pavlich to a calf injury and Solomon's club-imposed sanction leaves the Dockers light on experience.

But it has given Kepler Bradley and Clayton Hinkley another chance to revive their stop-start careers.

The Blues recalled a fit again Bret Thornton, Jordan Russell, Chris Johnson, Jefferey Garlett and Adam Bentick.

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