Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich is unsure whether the Dockers can regain their blistering early-season form as the "grind" of the AFL campaign takes its toll on the young side.

Michael Barlow's season-ending broken leg and injuries to Luke McPharlin, Chris Tarrant, Chris Mayne, Greg Broughton, Antoni Grover, Alex Silvagni and Ryan Crowley over the past six weeks have coincided with Fremantle's slide from top-two contender to fifth spot on the ladder.

The Dockers looked tired and out of their depth in Sunday's 82-point loss to the Bulldogs, fielding 11 players in their first or second years.

Pavlich said the large injury toll and subsequent mass influx of youth meant it would be difficult for the side to recapture their early-season form.

"Well the personnel is different so there might be a restriction from that perspective," Pavlich said on Monday.

"But we're confident that regardless of who's out there that we can put up a performance that is our brand of football and how we want to play.

"Whether or not it's too the absolute standard we set earlier in the year, that's our biggest challenge and that's going to be our test.

"Regardless of the personnel, we are hopeful we can play to that standard."

Pavlich has been battling an ankle niggle for the past six weeks but was adamant he wouldn't need to take a week off to freshen up.

But some of his teammates might be in need of a break.

"It's important to manage the guys that have played the vast majority of games, be it in their first year or 10th, 11th season," Pavlich said.

"That's the AFL season, that's the grind that is the 22 weeks.

"We are managing that as best as possible with the loading of individual guys ... and the broader group as well."

Fremantle tackle last-placed West Coast on Sunday and Pavlich urged fans not to taunt the Eagles about the possibility of collecting the wooden spoon.

"I just think it's not in our supporter values and what they're about," Pavlich said.

"Our supporters are a bit smarter than that and they want to see us win because there's bigger things at stake rather than the alternative view."

Pavlich was confident Tarrant, who has missed the past four games with a heel complaint, would return against the Eagles.

"He trained in Melbourne in Saturday and trained again here this morning. We are confident he'll be right," Pavlich said.

And the skipper urged coach Mark Harvey to select good friend and proven western derby performer Paul Hasleby against West Coast.

Hasleby was axed for the Bulldogs clash but received a late reprieve when David Mundy felt ill during the warm-up.

"Paul's history in the derbies have been pretty special and he's been an important player for us this year," Pavlich said.

"Regardless of his history I'm sure he'll be picked on the best structure and line-up for this particular week against West Coast and hopefully he does get the gig."

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