FREMANTLE skipper Nat Fyfe looks certain to miss next week's match against Melbourne in Darwin – and possibly more – after suffering a hamstring injury during his side's 55-point loss to Brisbane at Optus Stadium on Sunday.

He will be joined on the sidelines by Aaron Sandilands, with coach Ross Lyon confirming the veteran ruckman hurt his calf in the warm-up.

Fyfe left the field immediately after pulling up sore when he dished off a handball from his bootlaces in the second quarter.

The 26-year-old had ice applied high on his right leg seconds after it was assessed by medical staff.

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Fyfe came off to have his hamstrings checked during the first quarter before he was cleared by medical staff to return to the field.



"He got checked and (as is the way) it was a 'yes' or a 'no' answer and it was 'yes' and then he's gone on to do it," Lyon told reporters post-match.



"He (later) said 'look, I’m not sure, it's in the hammy'.



"It's not ideal but soft-tissue injuries happen. Our sports science team are very good for a long period of time and these things happen – some things are out of your control."

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Lyon couldn't pinpoint exactly how the injury happened, but suggested the club's round 14 bye might have contributed.



"I haven’t got too much information on Nat," he said.



"That continuity off the bye is a difficult period for all clubs and throws some challenges, but you're never going to know the absolute root cause.



"Soft tissues are not ideal but I'm sure we'll rehab him and get him going."



Sandilands cut a dejected figure in the rooms before the game after injuring his calf just minutes before the first bounce.



"It sounds that way (like a calf strain) – it sounds like he’s done his calf," Lyon said.

The injuries put the star pair in immediate doubt for the next few weeks with matches to come against the Demons, Port Adelaide and Essendon.



Fremantle could turn to the services of second-year big man Sean Darcy, with Scott Jones also in the mix to face in-form ruckmen Max Gawn, Paddy Ryder and Tom Bellchambers.



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Lyon all but confirmed Brad Hill's return after serving out a club-imposed suspension at Peel Thunder on Saturday, while Harley Bennell notched 21 possessions and a goal against Swan Districts.



The Dockers secured a win without the services of Fyfe and Sandilands against Adelaide in round 12.