Bradley Hill feels he still has some work to do to get back to his best as the running midfielder continues to build his fitness.
This Saturday against Essendon at Etihad Stadium, the reigning Doig medallist will play his third consecutive game since returning from a knee injury in round 16.
Hill sustained the injury in round two, in Freo’s 16-point win - also against the Bombers - and missed the following 12 games.
Last week against Port Adelaide, the 25-year-old impressed with a 21-disposal and six inside 50 performance.
Hill said that despite playing well, he feels his bet footy is at least a fortnight away.
“Obviously, I was out for a long time so two weeks ago was my first game back,” Hill said.
“I felt a little bit off against Melbourne but it was good to get a bit of the footy (against Port Adelaide).
“I feel like it will take me a couple of weeks to get back to my best and get that match fitness up but I’m still feeling pretty good.”
The hard and fast surface at Etihad Stadium is comparable to that of Optus Stadium and is likely to suit both Hill and Fremantle, where they defeated Carlton by 57 points in round 13.
Hill said that the key to winning would be to repeat their efforts against Port Adelaide, where Fremantle prevailed in a nine-point win.
“Everyone was terrific against Port so it was a good team performance,” Hill said.
“It was the way we played without the footy and that pressure, the way we manned up, the join in and hunting the ball carrier.
“I thought there were a lot of good players so you couldn’t really single any out, it was just a good team performance.
“If we can do that again against Essendon, it will give ourselves out best chance so, hopefully, we can bring that on Saturday.”
