Fremantle leader Reece Conca is excited about what a young backline can achieve after an impressive display in Freo’s first Marsh Community Series clash against Carlton on Saturday at David Grays Arena.

Freo are set to start the 2020 season without key backs Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling as well as skilful half-back Nathan Wilson.

As a result Freo will be reliant on the likes of young talls Griffin Logue, Taylin Duman, and Brennan Cox - who will all be 21-years-old to start the season.

Conca has made the switch from the midfield to the back six this pre-season and was the only leader on the field in the clash with Hamling, Pearce and David Mundy out through injury and Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters absent due to their appearance in the All Stars game.

As acting captain for the day, Conca said he was delighted to see the young backs stand up and keep the Blues’ forwards to five goals.

“We’ve got a really young and inexperienced backline but they’re great to work with,” Conca said.

“I thought our communication today was unbelievable.

“To see these young guys really blossom, Griff and Coxy, Luke Ryan’s played some great footy before. Tobe Watson, Taylin Duman and Ethan Hughes were great.

“We look forward to getting Alex, Joel and Willo back but it was a great opportunity for these guys to build on their footy.

“There was a lot of trademark efforts physically, a lot of spoils, tackles and smothers which were fantastic. Overall, it was a great result and we’re just building towards round one.”

While delighted to start the pre-season in the right way, Conca said Fremantle would be working hard to improve on their performance.

It’s only our first pre-season game and we had a few lapses today but overall it was pretty good,” Conca said. 

“There’s plenty to work on but I think our ball inside 50 was great at times. I think our pressure around the ground was really good, and that’s encouraging, we can feed off the back of that.”