Fremantle star Hayden Young has "dodged a bullet" on the injury front, with scans revealing his latest setback is not serious.

Young, who has played just nine games this season, hurt a groin in the ladder-leading Dockers' shock loss to GWS on Saturday and finished the match on the bench.

The 25-year-old midfielder faces a battle to be fit for the top-of-the-table clash with Sydney at Optus Stadium on Thursday night.

But Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir expects Young to at least be available for a meeting with Port Adelaide the following week as the Dockers gear up for a tilt at their maiden premiership.

"He's good. He's had a really good scan result," Longmuir said on Kayo Sports on Monday night.

"We're on a five-day break, so it'll be pushing it for this week, but yeah, we've probably dodged a bullet in some sense.

"If he doesn't get up this week, we think he's a really good chance for next week."

Young has had a broken leg, multiple hamstring injuries and groin issues in his 98-game career, and was restricted to just nine matches last season.

But Longmuir said there was no hesitation in taking the left-footed playmaker to Canberra for the Giants clash.

"He's just missed so much footy, and since he's been back, he's had some really long breaks," Longmuir said.

"We had a bye after his first game, and then a long break between the Geelong and Gold Coast game.

"So we need to get some continuity for Youngy and build his body, and the best way to do that is by playing.

"And it's not just about Youngy, it's about him building synergy with his teammates as well. So we've just got to try and strike the balance with him for the rest of the season."

Hawthorn are expected to regain star goalsneak Nick Watson for their clash with the in-form Carlton on Saturday night.

But teammate Josh Battle will miss a second consecutive game after having his appendix removed last week, while Karl Amon (knee) and Jarman Impey (hamstring) face fitness tests.

Western Bulldogs defender Connor Budarick could miss the rest of the home-and-away season with a high-grade ankle syndesmosis injury.