Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow has been invigorated by his new run-with role in the Freo Dockers' midfield, according to coach Ross Lyon.

Barlow, 28, had been a permanent fixture in Fremantle's line-up since returning from the nasty broken leg he suffered back in 2010.

But following a quiet start to this season he was dropped for rounds eight and nine and asked to go back to the WAFL to find some form.

Since returning Barlow has played a run-with role in the midfield. He has had jobs on Essendon's David Zaharakis and Brisbane Lion Daniel Rich in the last two weeks. Zaharakis had just 11 touches while Barlow gathered 26 and kicked a goal in round 11. Rich had 18 disposals and a goal to Barlow's 23 last week.

Lyon keen to "continue experiment"

Lyon said he liked what he had seen so far and would likely keep Barlow in the role for the short-term.  

"It's invigorated Michael and it's forced some tactical involvement from the whole team to keep that tag in place," Lyon said.

"So we've enjoyed that. It's really what we used to do a lot more of - throw some stuff at the opposition that they need to react to.

"It's been good for everyone all round. It's got us involved. But for Michael, he's been invigorated by that. It certainly hasn't hurt him."

Barlow was the subject trade rumours in the media last year. Barlow strongly denied those rumours at a press conference in December at the start of pre-season.

Lyon was asked about those rumours on Thursday and was equally adamant that the speculation was factually incorrect.

"I certainly object strongly to trade talk," Lyon said.

Blooding youth paying dividends for Freo

"I forget who wrote those articles last year but they were 100 per cent inaccurate. It certainly wasn't driven from within. It wasn't driven by Michael. So (it was) 100 per cent inaccurate.

"I'd like to be really strong on that. Just because it's written, it doesn't make it accurate. But we all understand that don't we?"

Lyon did concede that Barlow's plight this season had personified the challenge the entire club has faced.

"If you want to talk crossroads - we were all at the crossroads," Lyon said.

"We were 0-10. We were all under pressure. But what happens is as you're an older player and you get demoted for a week, the headlines start. I'm challenged. Everyone's challenged. I don't see Michael as any different from the rest of the list."

Lyon said he would continue to experiment with more senior players in different positions. He cited the use of Michael Walters in the midfield, Stephen Hill across half-back and Nick Suban moving from an inside-mid role to an outside running role as examples of moves that had worked in recent weeks.