Fremantle may be a sick and sorry bunch at the minute but Brisbane coach Michael Voss is bracing his team for a Dockers backlash ahead of Saturday night's AFL clash at Subiaco Oval.

The Dockers managed just 1.7 (13) in last week's humiliating 117-point loss to Adelaide and were dealt a further setback on the injury front when midfielder Byron Schammer joined the club's lengthy casualty ward with a calf complaint.

With Matthew Pavlich (calf), Aaron Sandilands (hamstring), Des Headland (hamstring), Roger Hayden (leg), Rhys Palmer (knee), Ryan Crowley (foot) and Michael Johnson (ankle) also sidelined this weekend, Fremantle will field eight first-year players against the Lions.

But Voss said the Lions couldn't afford to take the Dockers lightly, especially after Fremantle coach Mark Harvey demanded his players "redeem" themselves earlier in the week.

"They've had a tough week, they've probably been pulled apart a fair bit and whenever you get that you expect some sort of really spirited fightback," Voss said in Perth on Friday.

"We have to prepare for their absolute best and make sure we're (switched) on.

"It's pretty easy to be able to look at what they don't have. It's important to be able to look at what they do have.

"They've got genuine ball winners there. We can't afford to look at who's not there.

"Obviously Pavlich is not playing, he would be a genuine strength.

"But we've seen them compete against Carlton a couple of weeks ago at home. They do play well at home so we have to respect what they bring to the table.

"Every game I've been involved with in AFL football ... I've never ever presumed a win, I've never presumed a loss."

The game will mark Daniel Rich's first AFL match in his home State since being snared with pick No.7 in last year's national draft.

Fremantle overlooked Rich to select Stephen Hill with pick No.3 and Harvey said the pair were likely to play on one another at some stage on Saturday night.

While Hill has been a solid contributor for the Dockers, Rich has starred for Brisbane and is a red-hot favourite to win this year's NAB Rising Star Award.

Voss described Rich's smooth transition into AFL ranks as a "pleasant surprise" but was quick to downplay any comparisons between himself and his star charge.

"I didn't realise I could kick it so far, I didn't realise my left leg was so good," Voss joked.

"I've never been one for comparisons between one player and another.

"Daniel has unique qualities and the way he goes about things is very professional.

"We are very pleased with the way Daniel's going."

The Lions lost Jed Adcock (knee) and Matt Austin (back) from the team that defeated Geelong last week.

Jared Brennan returns from a one-week suspension while West Australian Bradd Dalziell will play his first match since round five.

Fremantle made three changes, recalling Adam Campbell, Andrew Foster and Clancee Pearce at the expense of Ryan Murphy, Clayton Hinkley (both omitted) and the injured Schammer.

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