A pre-season spent training as a defender has helped Fremantle's Chris Mayne rediscover his best up forward.

Mayne kicked four goals and racked up 12 tackles last week against Melbourne, returning to the form that earned him a place in the All Australian 40-man squad in 2013, when he kicked 37 goals.

Mayne back to his best

The 26-year-old endured an indifferent 2014, kicking just 13 goals before playing in defence late in the season as the Freo Dockers wrestled with injuries to Luke McPharlin, Michael Johnson, Garrick Ibbotson and Alex Silvagni.

Mayne said training as a defender in match practice during the pre-season helped him get a better understanding of forward play.

"It definitely gives you an eye-opener when you're playing on guys like 'Pav' (Matthew Pavlich), who has been a champion of the game, and young players like Matt Taberner who has different attributes of being a workhorse," Mayne told AFL.com.au.

"So as a defender you kind of have an appreciation of what they go through with the ball coming in as many times as it did in the practice matches.

"I felt like the ball was coming in every second.

"You kind of have an understanding of little tricks that they use, that you might not have had in your game that you can build into your game."

Mayne said trialling in defence gave both he and the coaching staff confidence he could fill a role regularly if needed.

Indeed, the Freo Dockers may need him this week after a calf problem forced McPharlin withdraw from the side face Essendon. Young key defender Alex Pearce is set to make his debut but Mayne is happy to play wherever it suits the team.

"I feel a bit more confident if I was asked to go back there because I'll play wherever possible for the club," Mayne said.

"To be a forward, I've done it for eight years now. I feel confident playing high and deep. So where called upon, I'll do my best and play my role."

Mayne said 2014 was a difficult year for him given the back issues he suffered. He came off a limited pre-season and carried niggles throughout the year.

"I struggled with a few injuries, a few back injuries and such so it was a challenge throughout the year," Mayne said.

"You always have little niggles throughout the year as well so I wasn't able to get my body fully right but I was still able to contribute defensively.

"The offence side to it all, I was struggling to have an impact there. So I went away with some clear goals for myself and focused on getting myself right for this year.

"I was able to run a few PBs, which was good and I've been able to come back in great shape so I've been pleased with that but again it's a long season."