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Fremantle are upping the intensity early in their training sessions as they look to improve their opening quarters in 2023.

Freo went goalless in the opening terms of their two finals appearances in 2022, needing to come back from 41 points down against the Western Bulldogs to advance to the semi finals against Collingwood.

Forward Michael Frederick said this objective has led to some big sessions in the heat throughout the summer.

“It’s been tough but all the boys are firing, a lot more physical and going hard at it at the start of training,” Frederick said.

“It’s not going to be an easy season again, all teams are obviously improving.

“We want fast physical starts and have been starting training with a lot of things to get the heartrate going and get the physicality going.

“The last few months have been pretty tough, it doesn’t help with the heat as well, but the boys are putting in the work and we’re looking forward to the next few weeks before games.”

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05:45

'It's a lot more physical' | Michael Frederick

Michael Frederick spoke to WA media and gives an update on pre-season.

Freo are set to face both SA-based teams in pre-season games, starting with Adelaide in late February and Port Adelaide in early March.

The details for both games are yet to be confirmed.

Frederick said it would be beneficial for Fremantle to test themselves against interstate Clubs after playing against West Coast once or twice each pre-season in every year of his career to date.

“It’s something different after playing West Coast the last few years, which has probably happened just because of Covid,” Frederick said.

“It will be good to face a different kind of system before we head into the season.”

Until then, Fremantle will continue to test themselves against each other with a pre-season training block heavy with match simulation.

“A lot of (the match sims) are game plan education but it’s always good to get a hitout against all the boys and get some games under the belt before we start the trial games,” Frederick said.

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