Luck McPharlin back but Freo lose Michael Johnson for qualifying final against Geelong

FREMANTLE has suffered a huge blow ahead of Saturday's qualifying final against Geelong, with defender Michael Johnson ruled out due to a tight calf.

Luke McPharlin

FREMANTLE has suffered a huge blow ahead of Saturday's AFL qualifying final against Geelong, with star defender Michael Johnson ruled out due to a tight calf.

But it wasn't all bad news for the Dockers, who will be boosted by the return of All-Australian backman Luke McPharlin, who was named as an emergency.

Johnson was a notable absentee when the Dockers flew to Avalon on a chartered flight this afternoon.

The 28-year-old was rested from last week's loss to St Kilda, but was restricted to light duties at training this week after experiencing tightness in his calf.

Johnson has been in career-best form this season and was named in an extended 40-man All-Australian squad earlier this week.

But with the Dockers guaranteed a double chance in the finals after finishing third, the club was unwilling to take the risk with Johnson this week.

"It's a big loss. But we have to take a cautious approach with him and make sure he's right next week,'' stoppages coach Mark Stone said.

"Michael's been in really good form and he's an integral part of the back six. He's been so good for us, not only in defence, but attacking as well.

"Although we'd like to have him in the side this week, we're making sure he's right to go the week after.

"It's not a serious injury, but we have to be careful with it.''

McPharlin enters the match severely short on match fitness after missing the past eight games with a torn calf.

The 31-year-old was initially scheduled to return a fortnight ago, but was held back over concerns he might suffer a recurrence.

Stone said McPharlin trained strongly before traveling to Geelong, but the 222-game veteran must jump one final hurdle before being given the all-clear to play.

Alex Silvagni was named in the Dockers' starting defence and will make way for McPharlin if the preferred key defender is passed fit on Saturday.

"If he wakes up really sore, we'll have to rethink it. But other than that, he'll play,'' Stone said.

"He's got a really good bulk of conditioning behind him.

"And he trained really well, so he's confident.''

Fremantle took a squad of 26 to Victoria, with Nick Suban (hamstring) and Stephen Hill (hamstring) making the trip after being cut down by injury last week.

Hayden Ballantyne, Zac Clarke, David Mundy, Nat Fyfe, Lee Spurr, Zac Dawson and Chris Mayne also boarded the flight after being rested last week.