New Freo Docker Brett Bewley said a new outlook on his game has helped him make the next step up into the AFL.

The 23-year-old was drafted to Freo with pick no.59 in the 2018 NAB AFL National Draft after five seasons with Williamstown in the VFL.

The running midfielder starred in 2018, finishing runner-up in the club best and fairest and was named in the VFL team of the year for the second consecutive season.

He will be joined by Williamstown teammate Lachlan Schultz in WA, who was taken by Fremantle two picks earlier in the draft.

“It’s been a long journey from 18s and then five years at Williamstown. To get my name read out was a great moment,” Bewley said.

“I’m very excited to be coming to WA and a lot of hard work has gone into getting here. 

“It’s good to have Lachie coming over as well. Lach and I spend a lot of time together and play a lot of footy together, so it will be good.”

Bewley said he was boosted by taking on a new mindset in 2018.

“My self-belief grew in 2018 and I had a lot more confidence in my ability to play the way I want to play. The biggest thing was the improved self-belief," Bewley said.

“It’s pretty overwhelming thinking about the journey and the hard work that has gone in.

“All the running sessions all the weights sessions culminates in getting drafted. 

"Now the hard work starts again, I am very excited and very happy.

At Freo, Bewley hopes he can find a place on the wing and help deliver the football to Freo’s revamped forwardline.

In 2018, Bewley led the VFL for effective long kicks and rated elite for inside 50s.

“I’d like to think I’m a hardworking, running outside-mid ball user. I like to be versatile and I try to get the ball as much as I can,” Bewley said.

“Joining Freo is very exciting, I’m pretty sure Jesse (Hogan) and I are the same age, but we’ve both had different pathways but it’s exciting prospect to be able to deliver the ball into blokes like Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb. I can’t wait.”