Aisling McCarthy has praised Fremantle’s new-look backline after putting their talent and connection on display in last week’s match simulation against West Coast.

With one final chance before round one to prepare against opposition this Saturday against Collingwood, the Fremantle defensive unit are coming off a match sim in which they limited the Eagles’ forwards to just two goals.

McCarthy was thrilled to watch her teammates get to work and said how impressed she was with the performance in defence.

“They were like a brick wall – anytime (the ball) went in (their inside 50), it was coming back out, which was really good,” McCarthy said.

“I think they have great composure – they can switch lanes, and I think a lot of people stood up.

“We had a couple of new girls in Gabby (Biedenweg-Webster) and TK (Tunisha Kikoak), slotting in there as well, and they did really well.”

McCarthy said the match simulation was a great opportunity to see how their footy matched up against her former side in the Eagles.

“It was nice to go out and put a good four quarters together and really show what we're about and build for the season that's coming around soon,” McCarthy said.

“I think we've been sick of playing each other over the last few weeks, so to actually try to bring our brand of footy to an opposition and a really good one in West Coast.

Having slotted into Fremantle’s midfield seamlessly, McCarthy said she was pleased with how that connection is growing.

“I (want to) come in and play my role, and I think my strengths around the contest are probably my contest where I can drive my legs, so I'm just trying to bring that week in, week out, and tonight I was able to show a little bit of that,” McCarthy said.

“There are a lot of the girls I look up to playing alongside in Hayley (Miller), Easty (Dana East), Kauffy (Meg Kauffman), and TJ (Tahleah Mulder) – I feel like we have a good connection.

“Then (we have) Mim (Strom) in the ruck – she's class. It's really nice for her to be able to put the ball where we want it.

“I thought (Mim) was outstanding, (with) her aerial contest and ground ball work – she can become a fourth midfielder for us.

The 28-year-old said it was a huge team effort that got them the win last Friday night.

“We just came back to that trademark and grit, and we really pride ourselves on that contested footy,” McCarthy said.

“I think everyone just worked for each other – we all had moments, and it was just a really good all-round team performance.”

Touching on their pre-season to date, McCarthy said the team have been putting in the hard yards and will only continue to build.

“We've been working hard since February, which has been really nice to build up and then obviously a really big pre-season too, so it's nice to start playing games and seeing all our hard work pay off – but we're still building,” McCarthy said.

“We still have a lot of growth to go and I think this is just a steppingstone towards round 1, but it was nice to see things come together (tonight).”

Click here for details on Fremantle’s final pre-season hit-out against Collingwood at Fremantle Oval this Saturday.