Fremantle won't have skipper Alex Pearce for the Dockers' clash with Gold Coast on Saturday after the 29-year-old overturned a three-match ban only to be cut down by injury.
Pearce (leg) is set to miss the crunch match against the Suns at People First Stadium, joining goalsneak Isaiah Dudley (personal reasons) and defender Cooper Simpson (shoulder) as outs from last week's 49-point win over Port Adelaide.
The key defender is set to be replaced by Nat Fyfe despite the veteran having no match practice under his belt since injuring his hamstring in the WAFL in mid-April.
The loss of Pearce, replaced by Josh Draper, is a bitter blow to Fremantle's hopes of posting a third win on the trot.
Pearce would have been the likely match-up for star Suns spearhead Ben King, who has kicked 31 goals this season to sit second on the Coleman medal tally.
It's believed Pearce has a hot spot in his leg, similar to what Shai Bolton battled earlier this season.
It's been an eventful week for Pearce, who was initially handed a three-match ban for his collision with Port's Darcy Byrne-Jones, before having it overturned at the AFL Tribunal.
Justin Chadwick and Shayne Hope - AAP
