Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has warned opposition sides to expect the unexpected from his young charges as the Dockers embark on an AFL season burdened by few expectations.

The Dockers are officially in rebuilding mode following the departures of Peter Bell, Josh Carr, Robert Warnock, Shaun McManus, Matthew Carr, Mark Johnson, Jeff Farmer and Heath Black last year.

The club recruited 14 new players via the national and rookie drafts and have been rated a $2.10 outside chance by TAB Sportsbet to make this year's top eight.

But ahead of Sunday's round one clash with the Western Bulldogs at Subiaco Oval, Harvey said his side had the speed and unpredictability needed to trouble some of the best teams in the competition this year.

Harvey believed his pre-season experiments of playing Chris Tarrant as a defender and Antoni Grover as a forward would leave the side in good stead for the season.

"I think we are seeing different angles with our midfield, and more so now in our key position areas we have players that can play at both ends," Harvey said on Thursday.

"I think that's significant."

While excited about the injection of pace the club's new draftees will bring, Harvey conceded his side may be found wanting if injuries start to mount.

"We have a young team and there are some areas we need to correct," he said.

"Particularly if we get a huge injury list early then you're forced to play players a bit earlier than you would have liked, that's the weakness if you know what I mean.

"But the strength of the team is that if our list is up and running then we can provide an interesting contest."

Fremantle ($1.80) are slight favourites against the Bulldogs ($1.95) but Harvey rated his team as the underdogs against last year's preliminary finalists.

"We are playing a top three side from last year, we didn't finish anywhere near that," he said.

"It would be fair to say from a games point of view we are inexperienced, but the unknown factor in round one can always come up and bite you."

Harvey declared Luke McPharlin, who has been troubled by Achilles tendon soreness in recent weeks, a certain starter against the Bulldogs.

"We had a light training session for him yesterday and he got through it no problem," Harvey said.

"There's no doubt as far as I'm concerned with Luke McPharlin playing."

But Harvey said he was yet to make a final decision on whether to include exciting No.3 draft pick Stephen Hill in the final 22.

The Dockers will enter the match without Des Headland (Achilles), Chris Mayne (foot) and Dean Solomon (suspended).

The Bulldogs, who will be without forward Scott Welsh, named midfielder Adam Cooney and forward Robert Murphy in their 25-man squad, although Murphy (knee) may not make the final cut after a limited pre-season.

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