Johnson will require surgery on a back injury, ruling him out of the AFL finals.
Fremantle will lose key defender Michael Johnson for the AFL finals due to a back injury that requires surgery.
The 29-year-old’s absence could not have come at a worse time for the Dockers, who will also be without All-Australian backman Luke McPharlin for the qualifying final against the Swans at ANZ Stadium.
Fremantle will recall Alex Silvagni, and coach Ross Lyon is considering switching either Chris Mayne or Matt Taberner out of attack in an attempt to quell the forward thread Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett, Adam Goodes and Sam Reid.
Mayne has previously performed well in a defensive role, however Taberner struggled.
Dockers football manager Chris Bond confirmed Johnson would miss the entire finals series.
“Michael played out Saturday’s game under some discomfort,” general manager of football operations Chris Bond said.
“We were hopeful that it could be treated and he would be able to play during our finals’ campaign but the medical advice we now have is that there are no other treatment options available and an operation was considered the only appropriate course of action.
“Michael will have the procedure this week.”
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