Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has refuted claims Ryan Crowley is a pincher, saying he's confident the charge levelled against the master tagger will be overturned.

The Dockers will most likely go to the tribunal on Tuesday to fight the unusual charge.

Crowley was offered a $900 fine by the Match Review Panel for allegedly pinching Kangaroos veteran Brent Harvey during the first quarter of Fremantle's 38-point win in Perth on Sunday.

The charge was laid after a panel investigation.

Crowley will be fined $1200 if he goes to the tribunal and fails.

Lyon said it appeared the MRP had laid the charge without any hard evidence.

"I heard (panel chairman) Mark Fraser on TV. They've talked about on probability they've laid a charge," Lyon told Perth radio station 6PR.

"You'd think you'd like to lay it on certainty rather than probability, so that's disappointing.

"I think Ryan will challenge. He's disappointed with what's been asserted.

"I back Ryan 100 per cent. If Ryan was out there pinching players I would have a problem with it internally.

"We can make light of it but it's a serious assertion and a disappointing one."

Harvey was clearly aggrieved by the close checking of Crowley, with the pair engaging in several wrestles throughout the match, including one before the first bounce of the ball.

Although they shook hands at the end of the game, Harvey still appeared annoyed by the treatment he'd received from Crowley as the pair engaged in a lengthy chat.

Lyon defended Crowley's tactics.

"Clearly champions get checked closely. A player like Harvey certainly plays on the edge and (is) aggressive and dishes it up," Lyon said.

"I think he's misconstrued the battle. We'll get in there and defend Ryan. I'd be surprised if it wasn't a positive outcome."

Fremantle take on Geelong at Simonds Stadium on Saturday night.

The Cats are set to be without mercurial forward Steve Johnson, who has been offered a two-match ban for his high bump on Brisbane's Pearce Hanley.