Mark Harvey believes fiery forward Jeff Farmer was 'playing for his life' in a three-goal performance against Collingwood, but the Fremantle coach couldn't say whether it was enough to save his career.

After a Farmer brain explosion in last weekend's narrow loss to Richmond cost Fremantle a crucial goal a, the 31-year-old's future has come under intense focus this week as his contract with Fremantle expired following the 24-point win over the Magpies on Friday night.

Harvey, though, said a number of factors would be considered at a meeting next week to determine whether Farmer would stay on at the club.

He added that the forward's poor discipline, both on and off the field, would need to be weighed up against the value Farmer's character and experience added to the young team for next season, particular one which had already lost six experienced campaigners to retirement throughout the year.

"He (Farmer) was lively tonight, he was playing for his life and that's how I saw Jeff," said Harvey after the game.

"But there's been other issues along the way and it's always an interesting, bumpy ride with Jeff."

"I'd love to talk to you about Jeff's character around the footy club ... particularly (how he gives strength) to his other team-mates. I can't speak highly enough of Jeff as a player," Harvey said.

While reports suggest Fremantle's board is unhappy with the notion of re-signing Farmer for another year - particularly in light of his continual on-field poor discipline and a club-imposed six-week ban given to him last season for assaulting a nightclub bouncer - Harvey said the final decision would be made by the football department and new Dockers chief executive Steve Rosich.

But Farmer isn't the only Docker whose future is up in the air, with veteran midfielder Josh Carr apparently wanting to return to South Australia for personal reasons, and play for his previous club Port Adelaide, which he helped win the 2004 premiership.

Harvey said he was hopeful Carr wanted to remain at Fremantle, along with highly-rated young ruckman Robbie Warnock, who is being pursued heavily by several Victorian clubs, but admitted the pair may depart the club.

"I want Josh (and Robbie) to stay but you understand there are issues that players have to deal with and Josh is one of those," Harvey said.

"We'll do as much as we can to get Josh to stay at the club but if it's beyond that then, it's out of our control."

The continual contract speculation somewhat overshadowed the Dockers' sixth victory of a dismal year, over a disappointing Collingwood.

And while it certainly wasn't pretty, Harvey said the fact his side could account for a finals-bound club without several key players, including skipper Matthew Pavlich, was a positive sign.

"Going forward with the group, the main thing that we've learned is that we don't necessarily rely on the heavy hitters in the team," he said.

"(I think) a lot of self belief has been gained by a lot of players that, perhaps, were either seeing themselves in between the 20 and 40th player but now, all of a sudden, they've jumped up and been given an opportunity."