Fremantle will be missing a third of their best side for Sunday's match against Carlton in the wake of Dean Solomon's club-enforced suspension for a late-night drinking session in Melbourne.
Solomon was granted permission by Fremantle to remain in Melbourne after last Saturday's shellacking at the hands of Collingwood, but compromised his preparation for the clash with the Blues at Subiaco Oval by being out beyond 3am on Monday with former Essendon teammate Mark McVeigh.
The Bombers stood down McVeigh for tomorrow night's clash with Collingwood at the MCG, and Fremantle coach Mark Harvey, in conjunction with football operations general manager Chris Bond and the leadership group, opted for the same punishment.
A decision on whether the veteran, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is released to play for Perth in the WAFL on Saturday will be made today.
"In this instance, Dean hasn't demonstrated the level of professionalism that we expect and require of a senior member of our playing group," Harvey said.
"Dean accepts that his actions detracted from his preparation for this weekend's game."
Solomon's suspension is a further blow to the Dockers, who have lost their past six games and will be without captain Matthew Pavlich for at least a fortnight after he tore a calf muscle early in the 84-point mauling by Collingwood.
The Dockers are also missing Ryan Crowley (foot), Rhys Palmer (knee), Michael Johnson (ankle), Roger Hayden (fractured leg) and Chris Mayne (hamstring).
The latest suspension is not expected to influence whether Fremantle opt to retain Solomon, who was last year suspended for eight matches for a brutal late hit on Geelong midfielder Cameron Ling, beyond this season.
It is the second alcohol-related sanction handed down by the Dockers following Brett Peake's banishment to East Fremantle for a drinking session during the mid-season break.
The absence of Pavlich will provide dominant ruckman Aaron Sandilands with an opportunity to captain the Dockers against the Blues. Carlton spearhead Brendan Fevola confirmed yesterday that he would take his place on Sunday after finger surgery.
The reigning Coleman medallist had corrective bone and tendon surgery in a little finger after the Blues' 69-point loss to Essendon last Friday night.
"There were a few broken bones and a few torn ligaments so every time the ball hit my hand it ached," said Fevola, who has kicked 43 goals already this year.
"It's all fixed now so I'm looking forward to the weekend."
DIGBY BEACHAM
