Fremantle’s general manager of football Peter Bell saw a number of positives coming from the club’s intraclub match on Friday at Victor George Kailis Oval.

After a high-scoring affair the week prior, Bell said he saw the team defence shine in windy and humid conditions.

With Fremantle going into the pre-season searching for replacements on the wing, Bell feels the coaches are now spoilt for choice in the position after some impressive performances on the outside.

“I thought a number of guys had their moments. Blake Acres started really well, he had a really good first half,” Bell said.

“James Aish had a bit of the footy and communicated positively. In fact all the wings did well, I think young Michael Frederick did some good things and Cam McCarthy and Brett Bewley.

“They’re all vying for those wing spots and the competition is really healthy.”

Bell added that Fremantle have a number of defenders putting their hands up with Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling set to miss the start of the season.

“Ethan (Hughes) played a lot of footy last year and he’s a great runner that can play tall and small,” Bell said.

“We know that Griffin (Logue) is athletically very talented, which you would have seen today as well.

“He’s had a flawless pre-season so hopefully, that continues for him.

“It looks like Griffin and Brennan (Cox) will be our two big defenders to start the season so we’ll keep putting the time into them and I thought they showed some positive signs today.”

Bell was thrilled to see no.8 draft pick Caleb Serong showing off his talents in the midfield.

“Coming through as a junior, (Serong) had a reputation of being very clean with the footy and very clear around the clearances,” Bell said.

“He’s got that stocky build and he would have won a number of clearances today and I think he was very clean at times, so he certainly put his best foot forward.” 

Bell said Fremantle are preparing for the prospect of missing key defender Joel Hamling for the first half of the season, with Bell "hopeful" he could return before the midway point of 2020.

Hamling underwent surgery for a dislocated left ankle on Monday, one week after suffering the injury in a training incident.

While Bell could not put a timeframe on the important defender's availability, he said to expect a return before the halfway point of the season would be "optimistic".

"I think that would be hopeful. I'm not ruling it out, but that would be optimistic," Bell said on Friday.

"Until he's out of that immobilisation period we can't even put a timeframe on his return, but it is a significant injury."

Pearce is also returning from a significant ankle injury but is well advanced and has lifted his running pace and is kicking a football.

Pearce's timeline to return is also unclear, but Bell said he was "progressing in a pleasing manner".

Half-back Nathan Wilson remains in doubt for round one as he recovers from a toe injury.

Freo are set to enter the Marsh Community Series with fourth-year tall Griffin Logue and former forward Brennan Cox as their key defenders. 

Luke Ryan, Taylin Duman, Stephen Hill and Reece Conca rounded out their back six what appeared to be an 'A' team in Friday's intraclub hitout.

Freo were forced to use assistant coach David Hale in the ruck on Friday as they manage injuries to Sean Darcy (shoulder) and Lloyd Meek (foot). 

Bell said Darcy would be available for the opening Marsh Community Series clash against Carlton on February 29 and the club was not concerned about the state of its ruck stocks.  

"He (Darcy) is still a little bit sore, but he'll be absolutely fine for next week. Lloyd's not too far behind," Bell said.

"We're comfortable with where we sit.

"Ideally it would be good to have a bit more game time into both of them, but there's still a long time to go in the pre-season and we're confident we can get minutes into them and they'll do a really good job for us.

"We know that Rory Lobb can ruck to a very high level, (but) we would like him to play forward.

"If we need Rory we know he can be super competitive in the ruck as he has demonstrated over his career." 

Bell said Fremantle were in contact with key forward Jesse Hogan and he was "going well", but he could not say when he would return to the club or if he would play this season.

Hogan has taken leave from the Dockers to focus on his mental health and general wellbeing.

"I can't give you any updates on Jesse except to say we are in contact and he's going well and we will give you an update when we are able to," Bell said.

Meanwhile, small forward Sam Switkowski has suffered a stress injury in his back and will miss the early rounds of the season.

Midfielder Darcy Tucker was held out of Friday's intraclub match because of a knee knock. 

Bell said prized draftee Liam Henry was on the verge of moving into the main training group in the next couple of weeks after arriving at the club with a knee issue.