Veteran tagger Ryan Crowley remains unlikely to make a remarkable return for Fremantle's preliminary final against Hawthorn in Perth on Friday, according to coach Ross Lyon.

Crowley has not played a match since the Dockers' 2014 finals campaign due to a suspension for a drug violation, but is now available for the first time this season after the ban ended.

Many pundits suggested Crowley could be recalled in a bid to shut down in-form Hawks midfielder Sam Mitchell, with Lyon admitting the 31-year-old had done all he could since he returned to the club following his suspension.

While the coach did not completely shut the door on Crowley playing, he said it remained unlikely.

"It's been done before and it can be done again — it's unlikely but it's a chance," Lyon said.

"We've had a few injuries around the edges, does that open it up? Possibly.

"Running wouldn't be an issue for Ryan, it would just be his touch and transition and it would be a big ask."

Lyon said there was "no concern" about Brownlow Medal favourite Nathan Fyfe, who missed the final two matches of the home and away season with a lower leg issue but returned to play in the qualifying final win over Sydney.

Key forward Matt Taberner was a strong chance of earning a recall and ruckman Jon Griffin was available to return from a hamstring problem.

But key defender Luke McPharlin looked set to miss again due to a calf problem.

"It was really disappointing really because we thought we had him fit and healthy, it just popped up out of nowhere," Lyon said.

Hawthorn is the final challenge the Dockers must overcome to qualify for the grand final for just the second time, but it shapes as a sizeable task.

The Hawks made light work of Fremantle in their only meeting this year — a 72-point victory in Round 15 — but Lyon played down the significance of that.

"To be honest I put it in the bin straight away — if you get stuck in the past we'd all be playing in the VFL still," he said.

"We've got a significant challenge in front of us but we know our best is good enough."