At Thursday night's NAB AFL Draft in the Gold Coast the club used its first selection to pick pacy midfield-forward Josh Simpson.
McPhee said Fremantle learned that lesson when it endured a 29-point defeat at the hands of Collingwood in round 14, 2012. The club lost just two games for the rest of the season, eventually going down to Adelaide in the first semi-final.
"Their (Collingwood's) genuine spread through the midfield and quality players that they can keep turning over [proved the difference].
It was A-grade midfielders that they are running through there all the time," McPhee said.
Fremantle has developed a strong midfield through recent drafts with the acquisition of Nathan Fyfe, Stephen Hill and Michael Barlow since 2008.
Anthony Morabito has shown his exciting talent all too briefly because of a succession of knee injuries but he will be an excellent addition when ready. The club also has the experienced David Mundy and a re-invigorated Ryan Crowley.
Recruiting manager Brad Lloyd said Simpson had all the skills required to become a good player.
"Josh Simpson is an exciting talent, with a really strong running capacity and skill level," Lloyd said.
Fremantle is poised for success according to McPhee under Ross Lyon.
The 30-year-old who retired for family reasons played his best football for the club in 2012 under the new coach.
"I loved his coaching style," McPhee said.
"He really made decisions that needed to be made at times in the last 12 months for us."
McPhee said the perception that surrounded Lyon was unnecessary. He simply enforced the high standards required to be successful at AFL level according to McPhee.
"If you're not up to scratch and you don't want to prepare that way or put in the hard work then Ross will make a hard decision on whether you really want to play for this club or you want an AFL career," he said.
