Fremantle coach Mark Harvey was content with his side's 11-point win over Sydney despite a late fadeout that meant the Dockers conceded five consecutive goals in the final quarter at the SCG.

The Dockers held a 38-point lead at three-quarter time but an unlikely loss was on the cards after the Swans began asserting themselves late in the contest.

Harvey was happy to overlook the late fadeout, which admittedly coincided with injuries to Roger Hayden (leg), Michael Johnson (calf) and Jonathon Griffin (hip).

"It's always difficult when you're playing Sydney and then the conditions prevail like they did throughout the course of the game, they were getting back into the game in that last quarter but we held sway," Harvey said.

"This is not an easy assignment - to win away against a side that is in and around where we're at - it's pleasing, but we understand you can't get carried away with the situation."

Harvey said his side's loss of control in the final quarter could possibly be attributed to the fact he rolled the dice and included both Adam McPhee and Michael Barlow, who returned from injury.

"It's indicative of playing some guys - in taking a risk in selection ... (of) McPhee and Barlow and these sorts of guys - I thought we did it quite well," he said.

Griffin and Johnson are expected to play in next week's critical derby against West Coast, while Hayden is in the most doubt and will have scans after copping a knock to his leg.

The Dockers managed to win after the bye, somewhat of a rarity in the AFL this year, but Harvey is expecting the trend will change towards the end of the season.

"I think it's happening the other way now. You're seeing a lot of teams are winning after the bye because the season is starting to take its toll," he said.

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