“All about consistency”: Fremantle skipper on the next step

Fremantle captain Alex Pearce indicated his side would take great confidence from their ability to match it with the best in the competition last year.

The Dockers had an enviable 5-4 record against top eight sides last year and also won both of their games against the ninth-placed Western Bulldogs.

"I think a big part of last year was performing against good teams in big moments. We want to be at a really high level all year this year," Pearce told Zero Hanger.

Fremantle effectively won a 'play-in' game in Round 24 against the Dogs, after holding off Collingwood in front of a packed MCG late in the home and away season.

The Dockers won a further five games by 13 points or less, but struggled to produce their best week-in, week-out.

"It's all about our consistency this year. We were playing catch up last year after starting poorly. The benefit of playing in big games that are high pressure and have high stakes give you important lessons," the captain added.

"I think we've matured as a group so when we're in that position again, we'll have a lot more confidence."

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There is expectation on Fremantle to entrench themselves in the top six this season, given an A-Grade midfield set to be strengthened by Hayden Young, who played just nine games due to injury last year.

Murphy Reid is also set to attract extra attention and has impressed when given extra midfield minutes in pre-season.

"Hayden's done a lot of specific training throughout pre-season so he can get back to his damaging best," Pearce said.

"I think he'll add a different dynamic to the midfield group and will enjoy a lot more time in there. 

"Murphy's got expectation after last year but our expectation for him is to just play his role again. 

"Others might put more work into him but you do that at your peril because we've got Shai Bolton lining up alongside him and Young, Brayshaw and Serong delivering it."