'It had to be perfect' - Dockers skipper still grounded

The 30-year-old missed wins over Gold Coast and North Melbourne either side of Fremantle's bye, but he still isn't ready to resume.

Fremantle are taking an extra cautious approach given Pearce's history of leg fractures and there are no guarantees the star defender will be ready for next week's home clash with St Kilda either.

"It's going to be a bit too tight to get him up for this week," Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said on Tuesday.

"It hasn't quite progressed the way we wanted it to, and to get him up for this week it probably had to be perfect, and it just hasn't been.

"We have to give him a little bit longer. He's not in drills and he needed to be in drills by today.

"He hasn't quite got there. He's moving around, but hasn't taken that next step yet.

"I can't put a time frame on it, but we're hoping for next week."

Fyfe has made a huge impact as the sub since returning from a hamstring injury, tallying seven final-quarter possessions against Gold Coast, and racking up nine disposals in a little more than a quarter against North Melbourne.

The role has proven to be a perfect way for the 33-year-old to be eased back into action.

"He might be a permanent sub. He might be able to play until he's 45 and do that the rest of his career," Longmuir joked.

Despite that quip, Longmuir says it's not a role Fyfe can do long term.

"My gut feel is you can only be the sub for so long," Longmuir said.

"We've had players who were the sub for three weeks in a row and I probably feel like that is the max.

"So if he (Fyfe) is the sub this week, there will probably be one more before we either have to get some game time (into him) at the lower level or get him into the team (for a full game)."

Fit-again Fremantle duo Michael Walters (knee) and Jaeger O'Meara (foot/hamstring) are set to make their returns via the WAFL this weekend.

Fremantle (8-5) have risen to eighth on the back of four straight wins, while injury-hit Essendon (6-7) are coming off three.