The Fremantle Dockers will be banking on their character to bounce back after a round one shellacking from the Bulldogs, according to Football Manager Chris Bond. 

The Dockers lost in round one for the first time under Ross Lyon, but were without Aaron Sandilands (suspended), Michael Johnson (calf), and Harley Bennell (calf). 

Reigning Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe only recorded 15 possessions – his lowest since round 14, 2011 – after he suffered a cork early in the game. 

Speaking on Sports Today, Bond alleviated any fears about a Fyfe injury. 

‘He got a knock on the leg, but Fyfe went in to the game 100 per cent and at the end of the day he’d be the first to say there’d be no excuses for him physically,’ Bond said. 

‘He was one our players that was down as well, but we know the character of the man.

‘We’ve got a lot of character in our team, so we’ll be expecting a big week. 

Bond provided an SKG Radiology update too and said Harley Bennell is indefinite with his calf injury, while Michael Johnson would be available.

Aaron Sandliands was also declared a certain starter upon his return from suspension.