FREMANTLE'S record without Aaron Sandilands is a popular statistic when the star ruckman misses a game, but it is one the club believes will be less relevant in 2012.

Sandilands will miss Friday night's clash with Carlton at Patersons Stadium after a tweaked left knee bled into his calf, handing back-up ruckman Jon Griffin his first game for the season.

Fremantle has won just three of 14 games without Sandilands since 2009, but coach Ross Lyon was adamant this week that he is not in charge of a one-player team.

Indeed, Fremantle has had a longer list of contributors this season, which forward Matt de Boer said would give the players added confidence when they run out to face the Blues at Patersons Stadium.

"We're not leaving it up to too few now like we have done in the past," de Boer told AFL.com.au.

"That's been a big focus from Ross, that everyone needs to buy in and give great effort and if we do the results will come.

"We've got a few gun players like Stephen Hill, Nat Fyfe and the younger brigade as well as Aaron Sandilands and Matthew Pavlich, but everyone's weighing in.

"Everyone's capable and we know that everyone's across the game-plan and they have a vital role in that specific game-plan."

As well as Sandilands, Fremantle has typically relied on captain Matthew Pavlich and key midfielder David Mundy to drive the team.

However, with Pavlich making a quiet start to the season and Mundy returning from a serious ankle injury, players like Michael Johnson, Tendai Mzungu, Clancee Pearce and Ryan Crowley have played a bigger hand in Fremantle's 3-1 start.

"The way we've started has been great," de Boer said. "Ever since Ross [Lyon] has got here he's been big on giving great effort and everyone's bought into that. I feel that's what we're showing week-in week-out.

"There's things that we're working on and tinkering with, but if we work on delivering great effort week-in, week-out we'll be a force moving forward."

Playing as a defensive forward, de Boer has also been a key contributor in Fremantle's start to the season.

The 22-year-old lost 5kg over the pre-season to help build his running ability and he has added to the offensive side of his game, averaging 18 disposals and focusing on becoming a link-up player across half-forward.

"I've been fortunate enough to be getting my hands on the ball a bit more, and the way the game is moving there's a big focus on the running," de Boer said.

"I've been working pretty closely with Peter Sumich, our forward line coach, which has been great for me.

"I lost a little bit of weight over pre-season, as a few of the boys did, and I've been able to carry that into the season and hopefully run out games a bit better."

Nathan Schmook covers Fremantle news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Nathan