Emerging midfielder Andrew Brayshaw is confident Fremantle's rebuild is tracking in the right direction and believes the Dockers will eventually reap the benefits of a radical youth policy.
Freo fielded the club's youngest side for eight years in last Sunday's 61-point loss to Collingwood at the MCG.
Senior coach Ross Lyon picked eight players with fewer than 15 games' experience and named two debutants, following through on his pledge to double down on the rebuild.
While the 13th-placed Dockers suffered a third straight loss, last year's No.2 draft pick Brayshaw can see better times ahead.
"The last few years I've been lucky enough to be in pretty successful teams, but even though we might not be winning now, I feel like within a few years we'll be right up there," the Sandringham product said.
"(To get there) it's a combination of the senior guys passing on that knowledge to our younger guys and growing as a group.
"We do have a lot of young players that are showing what they're made of.
"I think it just takes consistency and effort, and getting games into them, and growing as a group I think."
After an impressive debut season, Brayshaw is one of the key young guns selling hope to fans.
The 18-year-old has played all 11 matches and laid the second-most tackles (48) behind skipper Nat Fyfe (50), while averaging 14.2 disposals in a seamless transition to AFL ranks.
"We are young, but each week you take something out. Just looking at myself from round one to now, I think I've grown heaps as a player," Brayshaw said.
"I know the game plan better, I know my teammates better and the more games we get into our young guys the better we'll be.
"(Tackling) is something I did pride myself on last year but I always try and develop it.
"As a young player, I feel like every part of my game still needs improving.
"But team defence at the moment, going from under-18s, transitioning and being a really strong defensive-minded midfielder, being able to lock down players and work really hard defensively is probably (the focus) for me."
Brayshaw said he was holding up well mentally and physically and keen to keep "playing my heart out", although Freo's bye in round 14 will come as a welcome break.
He expected No.5 draft pick Adam Cerra and star Michael Walters would see more midfield time against Adelaide at Optus Stadium on Sunday as the Dockers search for ways to cover suspended superstar Fyfe.
Brayshaw was disappointed Fyfe's striking charge on Levi Greenwood was upheld and said Freo's leaders and ball-winners needed to step up in the skipper's absence.
"He's a very good player and he's a great leader, but we've got lots of great leaders and lots of great players in my opinion," he said.
"He will be missed but I think we'll be fine without him."
