Senior development coach Marc Webb is hopeful Fremantle’s 2017 draft haul will be able to take another step forward in their second year of AFL football.

Fremantle’s eight debutants in 2018 played a combined 94 games, 12 more than any other club and more than double the league average.

Webb said he’s seen promising signs from this group as they approach another season.

“I think pre-season has been really good on a whole so far,” Webb said.

“Especially with our second-year players and their continued improvement.

“A lot of the players who got a taste last year have kept building their momentum, which is great.

“The second-year guys coming through who have had that taste, they haven’t taken a backwards step.

“We’ve also had a couple of more senior players come in, like Brett Bewley, Lachie Schultz and Tobe Watson. They’re first-year players starting to build after playing thier football at state league level.”

Webb said Fremantle’s coaching staff is placing high expectations on their younger players during the mandated three-week break over Christmas.

The players return to the club on Monday 7 January, where Webb is hopeful to see the players fit and ready to take on the second half of pre-season.

“It’s a challenge with a young group,” Webb said.

“They understand they have to make the smart choices. They’ve got their programs and we want 100 per cent completion on the program.

“We understand that there will be challenges over the three weeks with guys going home but if we all buy in, we all come back in good shape and it gives us the best opportunity.”