The clash with North Melbourne at Optus Stadium is the most important round one match-up for Fremantle and Ross Lyon since his first game in charge against Geelong in 2012.

The difference between victory and defeat is the difference between a perfect start and a perfect storm for Lyon and the Dockers.

A win puts Gold Coast and St Kilda in Fremantle’s sights with a 3-0 start to the season within reach. A loss will put the Jesse Hogan saga back in the spotlight and turn the Suns and Saints clashes into the sort of matches that shorten a coach’s fingernails.

It’s not too late to sign up for tipping and Pick 7 fantasy! There’s great weekly cash prizes and the automatic chance to win a Mazda BT-50... Register to play The Game tipping and fantasy today!

There is a saying that coaches tear their hair out. They don’t.

Don't miss the latest sports news! Was $13 now $7 per week for 12 weeks* (Digital + Print) Enjoy unlimited access to thewest.com.au and everyday digital editions on any device. Thursday - Monday papers home delivered with all of the latest footy news! *T&Cs apply

Under enough stress, the hair just falls out by itself.

This is a massive moment for the Dockers. Lyon and his team need to present a strong and united front against the Kangaroos to send a strong and clear message to their supporters.

President Dale Alcock missed the chance to send that strong and clear message midweek when he missed the mark in a statement defending Hogan against some of the commentary of his anxiety issue.

Any reasonable person should understand the club’s want to give Hogan the best support possible.

Mental health is a massive issue in our society and people suffering from any mental health issue need strong treatment and support.

But Alcock needed to balance the club’s need to support Hogan with the need to send a strong message to supporters, and he didn’t.

Severe anxiety may have led to the behaviour which put Hogan on a drinking binge when he should have been getting ready for an important training session, but it is still his behaviour that he must own and accept responsibility for.

Fremantle fans should have heard that from their president this week and they didn’t.

Camera Icon Ross Lyon faces a defining Round 1 clash. Credit: Getty Images

Alcock also said the Dockers were aware of Hogan’s anxiety issues when they recruited him last year — and that is true.

When the Dockers baulked mid-negotiation and temporarily pulled out of talks for Hogan they got canned for posturing over a player they badly needed.

Their football department had reservations for two reasons: Hogan’s off-field issues and the navicular injury in his foot which can be a career-threatening problem.

With strong encouragement from the club’s board, they rejoined talks.

The feeling was that if Hogan flourished at Melbourne, the Dockers were going to be ridiculed for passing on a power forward who wanted to join them when they desperately needed one and had tried unsuccessfully several times to get one. They felt they were in a damned if they did and damned if they didn’t situation.

So here is the message for Fremantle: Don’t be damned. Make it work. Help Hogan to get himself right, then get him out there, then get the ball to him in a fashion that allows him to get to work.

Lyon was among those who expressed concerns about recruiting Hogan, but he also made it clear that once they were in, they were all in. and supportive of the decision.

All in: That’s what their fans need from Fremantle.

Remember the mantras that Lyon preached in 2012 when he arrived? A no-excuses football club. An anyone, anywhere, any-time team.

Let’s see some of that.