Many experts predicted a downward spiral for Fremantle with Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands and others out injured, but it's been far from the case.

Sandilands' absence was covered by Jonathon Griffin early in the year, but even a knee injury to the Dockers' backup ruckman wasn't enough to hinder their finals aspirations.

NMFC.com.au looks at Ross Lyon's team's ability to overcome great losses to put itself right in the mix with the top four.

In a telling statistic, Pavlich was second in the league during 2012 for scoreboard impact. His involvement directly resulted in 600 points, close to a third of the Dockers' total output for the season (1956 points).

To replace a player of his calibre is no easy task, but his team-mates have all stood tall.

24 of the 28 players who've lined up in in the purple and white have kicked goals this year, and in a true sign of the even spread, just three have kicked 10 or more.

Pavlich was missing when the teams last met in Round 22 last year, a night on which Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters run amok with four goals apiece.

Ballantyne is more than handy around the big sticks, while Walters has stepped his game up another level this year, despite an injury interruption.

Chris Mayne is highly-regarded for his defensive pressure in the forward half, meaning the Kangaroos' backs will need to be on its toes.

A perceived lack of height in attack may be a factor, but the Dockers have taken more marks inside the arc than North this year, despite missing Pavlich.

The captain was seventh in the competition last season for marks inside 50; Mayne, Ballantyne and Walters are all in the top 50 this year, an illustration of a new dimension in Fremantle's forward half.

Sandilands led the league for average hit-outs in 2012, but surprisingly hasn't been missed as much as would be expected.

While the Dockers average seven less hit-outs per game this year, their hit-outs to advantage have decreased by barely two per cent (21.6 in 2012, 19.6 in 2013).

With 38.1 per game, Fremantle has actually improved from 13th to 8th in clearances across the season, although Griffin's injury in Round 7 has seen a significant downturn.

Zac Clarke has a big job on his hands against Todd Goldstein (39.3 hit-outs per match), but with assistance from Jack Hannath, he won't be overwhelmed.

Lyon would no doubt open his arms to the prospect of having his two main men back, but in the meantime those who've been handed the challenge of filling the void are certainly holding up their end of the bargain.