The Fremantle Dockers have a promising list of first year players in 2016, and may be looking at a solid amount of game time in the upcoming NAB Challenge matches.

Here’s a quick update on the first year player’s pre-season so far.

Darcy Tucker

Tucker has acclimatised well to pre-season demands of AFL football. He already possesses a good physical frame for a young player and under the tutelage of development coach Anthony Rock has been improving his ground and contested football skills over the preseason.

Sam Collins

Collins has seen a healthy amount of competition this pre-season, often lining up on Matt Taberner and Matthew Pavlich. The mature age defender rarely seems to be out of a contest and has often enforced himself on marking contests with a timely punch of the football.

Shane Yarran

Yarran had an interrupted pre-season, recovering from a knee injury he sustained late in 2015. Has recently re-joined the main training group and will look to improve as the 2016 season draws closer.

Collins taking his opportunities

Harley Balic

Balic has been in the rehab group for much of pre-season, but has been professional and highly diligent with his preparation as he targets a return to the main training squad. Harley brings an impressive mix of size and aerobic capacity as well as being a dynamic player with ball in hand.

Ryan Nyhuis

Nyhuis has worked hard in the pre-season to increase his already impressive running capability and has looked composed when in possession of the ball in match simulation drills. He has shown a tremendous work ethic so far in his first preseason at Freo.

Matthew Uebergang

The key position NEAFL product has been impressive so far in the pre-season, both as a forward and defender. Uebergang has found himself defending Matthew Pavlich on a number of occasions as well as showing his ability as a forward, kicking two goals in a full match simulation in the pre-season.