Suban Dockers' unsung hero
Nick Suban says he is playing the most consistent football of his career and rates his increasing ability to hit the scoreboard as a case of getting to the "right spots" at the right time.
The 24-year-old will play his 100th game against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday - a contest fellow forward Hayden Ballantyne will miss after yesterday accepting a one-match ban for striking.
Suban is coming off his best game of the year, having booted an equal career-high three goals in Sunday's win over Greater Western Sydney.
Two of those majors were scored after threading his way through heavy traffic, with the 2008 No.24 draft selection kicking at least a goal in each of his past four matches.
Suban, who is contracted at Fremantle until the end of 2017, played down his form despite steadily building since being left out of the season opener against Collingwood.
"I've said before that you never feel like you're an established part (of the line-up)," Suban said.
"You need to perform week in, week out. I've been a lot more consistent. I'm just happy to play a role for the side.
"Whether that's forward, mid, back - it doesn't really matter."
Suban said he had worked tirelessly on his fitness and strength under coach Ross Lyon.
The result has been an end to the leg injuries that restricted his development for three seasons until last year.
"He (Lyon) has taught me standards and how to train hard and get the most out of your body," Suban said.
"I'm thankful that he's helped me along the way. I got drafted when I was 18 and moved over from Victoria. I left school to come here. It means everything."
The Dockers will match the longest winning streak in club history that has stood since 2006 if they post a ninth successive victory over the last-placed Saints.
Luke McPharlin is a strong chance to return from a calf injury, while Matt de Boer could replace Ballantyne. First-year midfielder Brady Grey has been ruled out for the rest of the year with a stress fracture in his back.
