Naming an unchanged line-up for Saturday’s grand final was a no-brainer for Fremantle coach Ross Lyon, but choosing the sub is likely to give him a headache or two.

Lachie Neale was the surprise choice for the green vest in last weekend’s preliminary final win over Sydney.

The 20-year-old had been in hot form in the lead-up and Lyon said the decision to start him on the bench hadn’t come easily.

Neale ended up tallying 11 possessions and a goal after replacing Matt de Boer in the third term, the classy display bolstering his chances of earning a starting role against Hawthorn.

Cameron Sutcliffe, Nick Suban and de Boer are other options for the sub’s role in the premiership decider, but Lyon won’t necessarily have the final say.

“It was really hard decision the subs,” Lyon said of last week’s choice of Neale.

“We had it Suban, we had it de Boer, we had it Neale.

“I flipped it around, sent a few texts (to the assistant coaches) and I had to eat some humble pie and go back, which you don’t like doing.

“Lachie Neale has been in super form so he was really quite stiff.

“But we made that call and I think Lachie came on and had good impact.”

Dockers trio Luke McPharlin (calf/adductor), Michael Johnson (calf) and Chris Mayne (back) were cleared to take on the Hawks despite nursing minor injuries last week.

Hawthorn made just one change to the side that beat Geelong, replacing injured defender Brendan Whitecross (knee) with Jonathan Simpkin.

Fremantle’s manic pressure has been a highlight of their play this season, but there’s some doubt it can be maintained against Hawthorn on the wide expanses of the MCG.

The Dockers thrive on narrow grounds, but have won three of their past five games at the MCG.

Lyon said his team’s tactics wouldn’t change one bit this week.

“It’s not about the ground, it’s about the ball and your opponent,” Lyon said.

“I don’t change anything to be frank. Not a thing.”