A THREADBARE Fremantle backline could await Carlton and Charlie Curnow for Saturday afternoon's clash at Etihad Stadium after veteran Michael Johnson accepted a one-game ban for a WAFL incident.

Playing for Peel Thunder, 33-year-old Johnson was cited for rough conduct on West Perth's Jordan Mills in the first quarter of last Saturday's clash.

It was assessed as intentional conduct, low impact and high contact.

Gun Dockers defender Alex Pearce suffered a broken thumb in Fremantle's three-point win over Adelaide and requires surgery, with a stint on the sideline awaiting him.

Fellow backman Griffin Logue suffered an ankle injury in Peel's victory.

Meanwhile, star forward Michael Walters accepted a one-match suspension for an intentional strike on Crows defender Jake Kelly.

However, superstar Nat Fyfe is set to return from his own ban while ruckman Aaron Sandilands has missed the past two games with concussion.

The Dockers snapped a three-game losing streak against Adelaide and are 5-7.