Michael Johnson joins Fremantle Dockers in Melbourne for clash against Hawthorn

FREMANTLE defender Michael Johnson flew into Melbourne today after missing the team flight due to “a personal matter’’.

FREMANTLE’S All Australian defender Michael Johnson flew into Melbourne today after “a personal matter’’ caused him to miss training and the team flight from Perth on Wednesday.

Dockers assistant coach Michael Prior said he did not expect the later flight to cause any problems for the 29-year-old, who will have a crucial role to play in Friday night’s Grand Final rematch against Hawthorn at the MCG, particularly in the absence of suspended full-back Zac Dawson.

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“He’s obviously missed the flight for personal reasons, but we’re confident he’ll be fine,” Prior said at the Dockers recovery session at St Kilda beach on Thursday morning.

“They’re professional athletes these days, so we’ve got full faith that he’ll be fine. I’m his line coach, so we’ll make sure we cover off all that needs to be covered off.

“(Hawthorn) obviously have some good key forwards and Johnno’s going to have to play on one of them, so he’ll have his head right by game time.”

Livewire forward Michael Walters, who only made a brief appearance at Fremantle training on Wednesday, appeared to be moving without any discomfort on Thursday morning and is expected to play.

News_Rich_Media: Hayden Ballantyne has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Fremantle until the end of the 2017 season; the 26 year old says it was an easy decision to sign a new deal.

The Dockers will be without star midfielder Nat Fyfe, who was suspended for two weeks over a head clash in last week’s game against Gold Coast.

Prior said the Dockers would work through their precise line-up at their match committee meeting on Thursday evening.

Running defender Garrick Ibbotson, who was in career-best form last year before an Achilles injury ended his season, is a possible inclusion in the team.

“He was a hard-luck story, he obviously had that Achilles problem late in the year, Prior said. “It’s just good to have him back … he adds that little bit of height and flexibility that we need in our side.’’

Lachie Neale, Hayden Crozier, Zac Clarke, Colin Sylvia and Alex Silvagni are also in the squad of 24 and in contention to play.

Before leaving Perth Dockers coach Ross Lyon wouldn’t elaborate on the make-up of the final squad, but refused to rule out the possibility of defender Alex Silvagni or off-season midfield recruit Colin Sylvia flying at a later stage.

“There’s not many mysteries left in life so there’s one little one at the minute with the Dockers. You’ll just have to wait until the team comes out,” Lyon said.

“We’re working through a few things. There will be a few flights tomorrow and all those sorts of things.”

Pressed further about the possibility of Silvagni or Sylvia joining the squad, he responded: “I don’t think so. They might be.”

News_Rich_Media: Luke Hodge remains in doubt to take on Fremantle on Friday night after failing to take part in Hawthorn's main training session on Tuesday after suffering a groin injury against Essendon.

Regardless of any late call-ups, the Dockers face a stern challenge against the Hawks without two of their elite ball-winners in Fyfe and Barlow.

Hawthorn also has its concerns, with skipper Luke Hodge (groin) and Sam Mitchell (calf) set to face fitness tests.

Lyon was upbeat about the absentees, saying it would give his side’s depth an early test in the season.

“We’re really excited by the challenge,” he said.

“We understand we’re playing the premier team in the competition. Like us, they have got a few challenges with personnel.

“But like us, the best teams and the best clubs use no excuses and expect the next person in to deliver.

“We’ll be the same. Obviously, not being too cute about it, but the usual suspects that have been around the edges and that have been talked about — Clancee Pearce, Lachie Neale, Garrick Ibbotson, Zac Clarke — all those kind of guys. We expect them to be able to deliver. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us all.”

Lyon pinpointed the likes of Neale, Matt de Boer and Michael Walters to spend increased time in the midfield as Fremantle seeks to notch a 3-0 start to a season for just the second time in its history.