Dockers put trust in backman Silvagni For the second time in 10 months, an injury to All-Australian defender Luke McPharlin has given Dockers backman Alex Silvagni the chance to revive his AFL career. McPharlin is set to miss this week's high-stakes western derby against West Coast after injuring his calf in Sunday's 30-point win over St Kilda. Silvagni has played the majority of his 34-game career as a key defender, but was trialled in attack earlier this year after Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands, Kepler Bradley and Jon Griffin were cut down by serious injuries. The experiment failed to reap dividends, with Silvagni kicking just three goals in five games before being dropped after round 12. With Pavlich and Sandilands now back in the side, Silvagni's best bet is to carve out a niche in defence. Silvagni will get the chance to do that this Sunday as the Dockers attempt to curb the influence of Eagles big men Josh Kennedy, Jack Darling, Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui. The 25-year-old Docker also played in Fremantle's two finals last year after McPharlin injured his hamstring in the last round of the home-and-away season. Silvagni held Geelong's James Podsiadly goalless in Fremantle's elimination final triumph, but conceded five goals to Adelaide's Taylor Walker a week later. Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said although the timing of McPharlin's injury wasn't ideal, he backed Silvagni to fill the void. "Alex came in and played on Podsiadly in a final last year so we know our pressure is good enough and we trust Alex to do the role," Lyon said. He's stood up in finals for us. Dockers skipper Pavlich tallied 21 possessions and two goals against the Saints in his first game since round threes. But ruckman Sandilands struggled in his first hit-out of the year, managing just six disposals before being subbed out in the third quarter. Lyon is confident the duo will improve with more game time under their belt. West Coast could regain gun midfielders Luke Shuey, Daniel Kerr and Sharrod Wellingham this week, while defenders Sam Butler and Ash Smith are also chances to return. The Eagles sit a game outside eighth spot, while Fremantle are just percentage adrift of fourth-placed Sydney.