Fremantle's injuries problems have continued just minutes before the start of their final home-and-away clash for 2011.

Veteran defender Luke McPharlin injured a hamstring during the warm-up forcing the Dockers to make a late change to their line-up to face Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

Casey Sibosado's roller-coaster week followed the similar path when he was rushed into the line-up as McPharlin's replacement.

Sibosado was a rookie-list player earlier in the week but was elevated and provisionally added to the Fremantle squad amid concerns about the availability of Ben Bucovaz because of suspension.

But when a WAFL appeals board cleared Bucovaz to play Sibosado wasn't needed - until today.

Fremantle have endured a horror injury run in the second half of the season and were in danger of running out of players for the battle with the Dogs.

McPharlin's absence is a major blow for the Dockers. He was due to play on Bulldogs forward Barry Hall in his final AFL match.