Brisbane coach Chris Fagan says the Lions would have preferred to meet a Fremantle that included Nat Fyfe

The Lions wanted to play the “best version” of Fremantle on Sunday rather than a Dockers side missing Nat Fyfe, who will return from a lengthy absence via the WAFL.

Dockers star Nat Fyfe will return to football via the WAFL. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan is disappointed Fremantle’s team for Sunday’s heavyweight Dockers-Lions clash at Optus Stadium won’t include superstar Nat Fyfe.

Dual Brownlow medallist Fyfe hasn’t played since Round 19 last year due to shoulder and back operations.

Fit enough to play again, Fyfe will return this weekend in the WAFL for Peel Thunder, rather than come straight back into the Dockers’ side hosting the Lions.

AFL great Wayne Carey said it was “absolutely ridiculous” that Fyfe wasn’t playing against the Lions.

“You do not put Nat Fyfe in the WAFL,” Carey said.

Fagan said the Lions would have preferred to play the “best version” of the Dockers.

“I would have been happy for him (Fyfe) to play,” he said.

“We always like to play the best version of the opposition teams, so if he had played, that would have been good for us, and would have brought another element to the game.

“They’ve obviously made the decision not to (play Fyfe), but I’ve got no doubt he’ll be making a difference with them pretty soon.”

Lions coach Chris Fagan wanted Fremantle’s side to include Nat Fyfe. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Even without Fyfe, the Dockers – who last weekend ended reigning premiers Melbourne’s unbeaten start to the season – will provide a huge test for the Lions.

“They’re obviously on the up, buoyant after they were able to do to Melbourne what nobody’s been able to do for about 17 or 18 games, so that will give them a lot of confidence,” Fagan said.

“I’m sure they’re looking forward to trying to take another scalp.”

Sunday’s clash is the first of three successive games the Lions will play against the three teams who joined then in the top four at the start of Round 12, with matches against St Kilda and Melbourne to follow this weekend’s trip to Perth.

“If you want to be the best, you got to beat the best. We’ve always said that and our players know that that’s an opportunity this week,” said Fagan, before adding that the Lions were only focused on beating Fremantle.

“A fellow current top-four team, the game is going to mean a fair bit; our boys are highly motivated.

“We are trying to live in the moment, not live in the month. The moment now is the Dockers.”

Fagan said star forward Joe Daniher would return from a shoulder injury on Saturday week when the Lions host the Saints at the Gabba.

“Joey’s been bugging me to play for two or three weeks now, so he’s obviously feeling pretty good, but we’ve stuck out the six weeks (of recovery) and he’ll be ready to go,” the Lions coach said.