Heading into his sixth year at the club, Tommy Sheridan feels the coming season is an opportunity for his draft class to take their games to another level.

Nine players on Fremantle’s list are aged either 23 or 24, including the likes of Sheridan, Hayden Crozier, Lachie Neale and Cam Sutcliffe – who were all taken at the 2011 National Draft.

The end of the 2016 season saw the departure of a number of senior players from the Fremantle squad, which has opened the door for players of Sheridan’s age group to fill a variety of roles on and off the field.

“I think it’s time for us to stand up and take our game to another level,” Sheridan said.

“I think the same for the players below us and above us. If we all can all just gel as a team, the better the team will play, which should lead to more wins and reward to the individuals.”

Sheridan highlighted the efforts of Neale’s strong 2016 as an example of what to strive for.

“You can’t buy experience, and every year in the system you do gain a bit more confidence,” Sheridan said. 

“I definitely think from our draft year, you saw Lachie Neale last year have a great year, and Cam Sutcliffe is so solid down back too.

“Lee Spurr was in my draft and he’s obviously a well-respected member in the leadership group, but I think it’s time for us to step up again.”

Sheridan has played a variety of roles while at the club, and this pre-season he has been given the chance to add another element to his game.

“I’ve actually been playing a little bit more inside on the track, I think that versatility has been one of my strengths,” Sheridan said.

“I played a fair bit of half-back last year and a bit of wing in my first three years at the club. I’m just trying to develop a bit of craft inside and work on all kinds of areas around the ground.”

Sheridan highlighted that he can learn from even the youngest of players when he trains on the inside, highlighting the current ability and potential of Fremantle’s mids.

“It’s exciting to play inside as you can learn a lot from the players at training, there’s some handy types in there.

“It could be Connor Blakely in a stoppage, he might push me under and I’ll go and look at the tape, it could be Fyfey, Lachie Neale, David Mundy.

“Everyone in our midfield group offers something, and there’s always little things you can learn off different blokes, so I couldn’t really name anyone.”