A significant payout could be the only thing stopping Fremantle from parting ways with coach Ross Lyon, according to 7NEWS reporter Tom Browne.

Lyon’s Dockers are reeling from their fifth loss in six games and there are tensions reported off-field after a board meeting was held in Melbourne on Monday.

Browne said a $1 million payout for the final season of Lyon’s three-year contract extension was likely the only thing stopping the Dockers from parting ways with their coach.

“There’s certainly some division in the club as to his role,” Browne told Talking Footy on Monday night.

“I think a $1 million dollar payout seems the only thing stopping them severing ties with Ross Lyon.”

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Fremantle would be forced to include any pay-out for Lyon in their football department spending, paying tax on any amount that exceeds the soft cap limit. This could complicate their payments for other football department staff in 2020.

Browne said there were also tensions between CEO Steve Rosich and football manager Peter Bell.

“(They) weren’t on the same page as recently as last week on some key football and staff decisions,” Browne said.

“Bell wanted to appoint a new list manager from the Adelaide Crows and Rosich intervened.”

The Dockers appointed list manager Mark Micallef in December last year, but Bell was reporter to have since offered Adelaide’s Binuk Kodituwakku a position in list management.

Bell refuted any tension with Rosich, recently telling AFL.com.au: "Steve's been a wonderful supporter of myself and we've got a really good relationship”.