Palmer's season in doubt

Fremantle Rising Star favourite Rhys Palmer could have played his last match of the season according to coach Mark Harvey.

The No.6 draft pick for the Dockers has been a shining light for the club all year, proving a more than solid replacement for the injured Paul Hasleby at the stoppages.

The 19-year-old was dropped, though, by the club for this week's clash with Melbourne for what was reported as general soreness. But Harvey admitted Palmer had suffered a knee injury and could be facing season-ending surgery in order to be right for 2009.

"We've got to weigh up what we do with Rhys, the year and where he's at," said Harvey after the Dockers 46-point win over a disappointing Melbourne.

"(I'll) put it on the table and I hope you appreciate, he's got a knee problem at the moment so ... we're going to have to make a decision with him."

"It's not ligament, it's cartilage ... (so surgery) could be a possibility, we'll just see how Rhys trains this week."

"(We'll do) just what's right for Rhys at this particular stage," Harvey said.

Although there's only six matches to go this season, Palmer's loss will be another blow to a Dockers midfield which is already missing Hasleby (knee), Dean Solomon (suspension) and the retired Peter Bell.

But Harvey said the experienced Des Headland was close to making his comeback from a knee injury in the WAFL, while Luke Webster is also close to resuming his career in the seniors after having the Nick Malceski knee reconstruction earlier this year.