Docker weighs in behind Lyon

FREMANTLE defender Joel Hamling has thrown his support behind Ross Lyon, declaring the under-fire coach is the right man for the job.

Some Dockers fans are calling for Lyon to be sacked after the club’s 91-point AFL loss to West Coast last Saturday.

Fremantle’s three-game losing streak has left it a win and percentage adrift of eighth spot before tomorrow’s clash with Hawthorn in Launceston.

Lyon is contracted until the end of next season and is keen to stay on beyond that.

Hamling, who won a premiership with the Bulldogs in 2016 before crossing to Fremantle, was glowing in his praise of the coach.

“Ross has been brilliant. I’ve had no better coach than Ross,” he said.

“He’s really taught me the rights and wrongs of playing AFL football. There’s no better man for the job.

“I respect Ross. The whole playing group is behind him as well. For myself, I’d love to have Ross around as long as I can.”

The Dockers have tasted success once in 11 trips to Launceston’s York Park and Hamling said the group was determined to put in a good show after last week’s flop.

“We’ve got to go and put on a good show for our fans and also our coaching group as well. We’re a proud football club,” he said.

“It’s certainly a big one. Our record hasn’t been great down there. There’s no better chance for us to get down there and showcase what we’re made of as a group.

“We will hang around and really bond together and get out and play Hawthorn. It’s an opportunity for us to rebound.”

Ruckman Sean Darcy will replace Aaron Sandilands (rested). Skipper Nat Fyfe has been cleared to play despite battling a sore shoulder against the Eagles last week.