Fremantle's 2023 forward line is taking shape after captain Nat Fyfe built form as a deep target and young gun Jye Amiss pushed his case during match simulation on Friday.
Fyfe, who again completed the entire session as a forward, kicked two first-quarter goals and looked in good touch.
It was young forward Amiss who stood out booting three goals, including a clever snap after he crashed a pack inside 50 and then gathered possession cleanly.
Jye Amiss has two ✌️ #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/y2lS2YNhVY
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) January 27, 2023
Goalkicker Matt Taberner lifted his workload in the highly contested session, working high up the ground, marking strongly on the lead and finishing with two goals after being managed through the pre-season.
The notable omissions were star midfielder Andrew Brayshaw and ruckman Sean Darcy, with both sitting out to have their loads managed rather than any injury concern, according to Fremantle, with Brennan Cox also on light duties but appearing unencumbered.
Star midfielder Caleb Serong was a standout with his clean hands and link-up play through the midfield, becoming heavily involved as the match practice went on.
He lined up at centre bounces with Will Brodie and Jaeger O'Meara, who also had impressive passages and combined well with each other several times at stoppages around the ground.
James Aish just SMACKS it from outside 50. Huge goal!
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) January 27, 2023
He loves it too.#foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/TPJTfxwEe9
Wingman James Aish rotated through the centre bounces, kicking a late goal from outside 50m, with Ethan Hughes lining up on the other wing.
Small forward Sam Switkowski was in fine touch and creative throughout in a forward line that included Luke Jackson for the majority of the session before a late run in the ruck.
With Darcy missing and Jackson playing forward, first-year big men Liam Reidy and Max Knobel did battle in the ruck.
The regular centre bounce trio was impressive second-year pair Neil Erasmus and Matt Johnson alongside wingman Nathan O'Driscoll, who is working on his inside game this pre-season and had several good involvements.
Erasmus was the most eye-catching, however, continuing an excellent pre-season with a prolific showing that included multiple clearances and hard tackles.
Raz standing tall in the tackle, breaking through the oppo. #foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/r1Nt6hvo7P
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) January 27, 2023
The selection of Hughes on one wing was noteworthy as Fremantle look to replace Blake Acres, with O'Driscoll also a likely option in that position.
Liam Henry also played that role and had some piercing runs with the ball, while forward Michael Frederick also pushed up the ground to start as a winger on occasion.
With Cox missing, key defender Joel Hamling paired with Alex Pearce in defence, with the drive of Hayden Young and Jordan Clark a key feature of the experienced unit's play.