Fremantle admits veteran defender Luke McPharlin is unlikely to return from a calf issue for next week's AFL preliminary final against Hawthorn.

McPharlin was a late withdrawal for the Dockers' qualifying final win against Sydney with calf soreness and coach Ross Lyon has conceded the 33-year-old faces an uphill battle to be fit to face the Hawks next Friday night.

McPharlin's potential absence against the Hawks shapes as a major blow to Fremantle's premiership hopes, with the two-time reigning premiers showing their scoring potency in their 74-point semi-final win over Adelaide.

"It is really more unlikely than likely [McPharlin would be fit for the preliminary final]," Lyon told Channel Seven.

"If we were to get through he would be available [for a potential Grand Final], I would think.

"Our back six is pretty good so if he gets up he might be able to push into our front half ... but at this stage it is probably a 'no'."

Lyon was in Melbourne for Hawthorn's victory against Adelaide and the coach said that result came as no surprise to him.

"All week we backed the Hawks to respond and all our preparation has been going towards them," he said

Lyon suggested the Dockers would closely examine the tactics of teams that had beaten Hawthorn, highlighting Port Adelaide, Richmond and West Coast.

Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley is available for the first time this season for the preliminary final, following the end of his suspension for a drug violation.

But Lyon again said the veteran was highly unlikely to play.