But perhaps its times to revisit the tactic of using the general of the Dockers back line, Luke McPharlin, in attack.

With Zac Dawson, Michael Johnson and Garrick Ibbotson available to hold keep opposition forwards, McPharlin could easily be freed up to spend some time at the other end of the ground.

He is a good kick and one of the best marks in the side, averaging almost seven a game this season.

And while Pearce has been omitted for Sunday's game against Melbourne, he remains an alternative to return and play a role in the back line, where he has been quite impressive at times this season.

It's not as if McPharlin hasn't had success as a goal scorer either.

He has kicked 20 goals or more in a season three times, most recently in 2009.

Being that key position swing player, who can go forward and back, before developing swing players became popular, he also booted 34 goals in 2005 - his best return (and at 34.12, an accurate one).

Five times he has kicked five goals - twice against Sunday's opponent Melbourne - and 15 times he has managed three or four.

Yet under Ross Lyon, McPharlin has played only as a key defender and snuck forward only twice to kick majors in four games.

He would be the perfect support for skipper Matthew Pavlich, who has 37 goals from 19 games in 2015.

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