Fremantle captain David Mundy is in good shape for the season ahead despite missing a second consecutive NAB Challenge match due to groin soreness, veteran Fremantle Docker Michael Johnson says.
Mundy has been on lighter training duties over the past two weeks after experiencing some general soreness.
He did not play against Richmond last Friday and was left out of the squad to face Adelaide in Mount Barker on Sunday.
But Johnson said the Fremantle Dockers were taking no risks at this time of the year.
"I was watching him doing his running today, he looked really good," Johnson said.
"You don't need to push players at this time of year. It's all about getting up for the round one in the home and away season. Dave's done everything over the whole pre-season so it's all about getting himself right. We don't want to take too many risks at this point in time."
Johnson found himself in a similar situation last week. He did not play against the Tigers after experiencing some Achilles soreness in the lead up.
Johnson excited with Freo's defence stocks
But he is fit and ready to return against the Crows after his first surgery-free summer in four years.
"I've done the whole off-season program and I'm feeling really good so far," Johnson said.
"I did have an Achilles problem the last couple of weeks but it's better to rest that and get it ready for the upcoming season. I'm feeling good and I just want to get out there and play this week."
Johnson said the Fremantle Dockers were keen to continue to improve their ball movement against the Crows, particularly out of defence.
The Fremantle Dockers have worked tirelessly on their skills and ball movement over the summer and looked sharp at times against an understrength Richmond side last week in Mandurah.
Johnson said the use of both Mundy and Stephen Hill across half-back would be very important this season.
"To have these real key players train down back and help us down there with elite foot skills, it's going to help us move the ball a lot quicker and a lot smarter," Johnson said.
Both Mundy and Hill have trained with the defenders at times during the summer as the Fremantle Dockers seek to have more flexibility within their squad.