Ross Lyon says players from other positions may be asked to fill the midfield breach created by the absence of Nat Fyfe and Michael Barlow, and one of those could be the sublimely talented Michael Walters.
Fyfe will miss Sunday’s match against Brisbane at the Gabba through suspension, while Barlow has a broken thumb.
“It’s not ideal, straight away you lose 60 possessions and a couple of goals,” Lyon said.
The Freo senior coach said other players would be need to pick up the load, including small forwards Walters and Hayden Ballantyne, who is a definite starter.
“We could certainly run that way,” he said.
“People from half back and half forward and people that have played midfield in the past can go through there.”
Lyon stated in 2013 that Walters, who returned last weekend after four months on the sidelines with an ankle injury, had a bright future as a midfielder.
The Freo senior coach has not seen anything to change that opinion.
“I think ‘Sonny’ is going to be a super midfielder one day for this club,” Lyon said.
“He’s clearly more than a small forward. His game sense and aerobic ability is of the highest order and he’s so footy-smart.
“Is it this week? Maybe, but he’ll be an elite midfielder by the time he’s finished.”
Sunday’s opponents Brisbane sit at the bottom end of the AFL ladder, but recent performances suggest Justin Leppitch’s side is more than capable of causing an upset.
The Lions thrashed Collingwood at the MCG last Saturday night and have registered a home win over top six side North Melbourne thisseason.
Lyon said Freo was squarely focused on the task at hand against a dangerous and emerging opponent.
“They’re in really good form with some top-flight players and they’ve knocked off some finalists up there,” he said.
“What they did in Melbourne (last weekend) was exceptional.
“They’re quick and their midfield is an All Australian combination at the minute - Dayne Zorko, Pearce Hanley, Tom Rockliff and Stefan Martin.
“They’re running and gunning it, so it’s a big challenge that we’re certainly taking incredibly seriously… but we aim to respond powerfully.”
