Fremantle is committed to bringing in fresh talent through the draft as it aims to challenge for a finals spot next season, coach Ross Lyon says.
After ending 2015 as minor premiers, the injury-hit Freo Dockers suffered a fall from grace this year, losing their first 10 games of the season and having just 28 fit players to choose from for their clash against Collingwood in round 14.
Lyon, who had previously used words such as 're-wire' and 're-plumb' to describe the Freo's current situation, said the club would invest heavily in the draft.
"There is no doubt we need to go to the draft table," Lyon told Fox Footy on Monday night.
"We could load up and go and attract free agents and uncontracted players, but if that failed then you'd be in a real hole, so we want to take care of the present and the future at the same time.
"We'd like to get as many draft picks as we can but we don't want to sell the farm either."
Lyon acknowledged the enormity of the challenge ahead, but did not rule out a potential finals berth as early as next season.
"We'd still like to play finals next year, there's no doubt about that, we think it's possible – anything's possible," he said.
Freo's coach added the end of the season marked the "perfect time" for star forward Matthew Pavlich, who is just three games shy of his 350-game milestone, to hang up the boots.
In the mix: Rd 16 v Melbourne
The 34-year-old has been carefully managed in what is widely expected to be his final season, and has not travelled interstate with the team on two occasions, against Hawthorn (round eight) and the Brisbane Lions (round 12).
"I don't think we'll take him to (the) Gold Coast (in round 18 but) he'll go to Darwin this weekend, and he's earned that right," Lyon said.
"I don't think the body's wanting. I think it's probably in as good a shape in my time I've been there, but mentally, it's time for us to move on.
"If we were guaranteed up and going, he could maybe go (on) but he puts that much work to get himself up.
"It's a perfect time for Matthew to move on, for us and him."
Lyon has coached 102 games at Fremantle since 2012 for 66 wins, 35 losses and a draw, and re-signed with the club in March until the end of 2020.
