Fremantle defender Luke McPharlin has revealed the AFL club is taking a more cautious approach on the injury front to try to avoid a repeat of last year’s disastrous fadeout.

The Dockers were decimated by injuries in 2011, with the lack of personnel leading to a seven-game losing run that killed off their finals hopes.

New coach Ross Lyon is determined for the situation not to repeat itself, and McPharlin hopes a healthy list will result in a far more competitive Fremantle outfit.

Out of Fremantle’s best 22, only midfielder David Mundy (ankle) and wingman Anthony Morabito (quad) are in danger of missing the season-opener against Geelong at this stage.

McPharlin has experienced first-hand Fremantle’s more cautious approach to injuries after rolling his ankle before he was due to play in an intra-club match early last month.

The 30-year-old had to wait until last week before making his return, playing a half in Fremantle’s 38-point win over Richmond.

Ruckman Aaron Sandilands was also scheduled to play against the Tigers, but was withdrawn at the last minute after experiencing tightness in his calf.

McPharlin looked as solid as ever against Richmond, and is in line to earn more game time in Saturday’s clash with Port Adelaide at Victor Harbor.

Skipper Matthew Pavlich, defender Alex Silvagni and Sandilands are all chances to return against the Power.

“It’s a bit of management, particularly with the older guys and the amount of years we’ve been in the system,” McPharlin said.

“But from a personal point of view, it’ll be good to get a four-quarter hitout at some point in the next couple of weeks to know that I’ll be ready for round one.

“He (Lyon) has really stressed availability … so there’s been a bit more of a cautious approach to injury and the like.

“We’ll look to really have a full, healthy list leading into round one.”

And with the majority of Fremantle’s list fit, healthy and raring to go, McPharlin predicted competition for spots in the Dockers’ defence would be red hot this season.

McPharlin, Silvagni, Zac Dawson, Michael Johnson, Peter Faulks and Antoni Grover will battle it out to nail down key defensive posts, while Paul Duffield, Nick Suban, Tendai Mzungu, Garrick Ibbotson and Adam McPhee are out to secure sweeping roles.

“That’s when it becomes a very healthy situation, guys competing for spots and pushing each other,” McPharlin said.