Fremantle's fallout from the 2024 season would be one of disappointment, essentially throwing away a finals opportunity following a wretched final month of the year.
The Dockers were aggressive during the off-season, seeing Richmond star Shai Bolton as a must-have player on their list whilst also safeguarding their future by welcoming a host of young stars through the draft.
Justin Longmuir has arguably one of the most talented midfield groups in the competition, and their style of play allows the defence to assert itself onto the opposition.
However, a by-product of the mundane, and at times, tedious game plan, is the inability to score at will, which will no doubt be an area of focus during the summer months.
Ahead of the new season, we've assessed Fremantle's 2025 squad and selected a best 23-man side - breaking down their depth charts on all three lines of the field.
Our Best 23 for 2025 series will include players unavailable for the start of the season, only excluding players who are expected to miss most/all of the season through injury/suspension.
In 2024, the Dockers had one of the more impressive defensive outputs, albeit to the demise of their offensive game.
Led by captain Alex Pearce and All-Australian Luke Ryan, Justin Longmuir reeked of confidence that his back six would get the job done each week.
But what they found was the need for speed, which Jordan Clark and Brandon Walker provided in spades.
After a troublesome year, key defender Brennan Cox will slot straight back into defence while Heath Chapman will return to the utility role in the back half.
James Aish and Josh Draper gave the Dockers much reprieve when some of their prime movers went down with injuries and will be considered throughout the season.
Depth defender Corey Wagner was also first-choice later in the 2024 campaign and will be up for consideration.
The injection of Hayden Young into the midfield has the Dockers' engine room rivalling the competition's best, boasting the likes of Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and either Luke Jackson or Sean Darcy alongside them.
Fremantle found a hidden gem in Jeremy Sharp as one possessor of the wing role, while Jaeger O'Meara, Nathan O'Driscoll and Aish have all been trialled through the position.
What also cannot be understated is the impact Shai Bolton will have on this mix, as well as veterans Nat Fyfe and Matthew Johnson.
Bolton will immediately add firepower to the centre whilst also having a presence up forward.
Fyfe's year will be watched closely given the two-time Brownlow medallist will likely play second fiddle to the youth that is roaring through the club.
Longmuir also tends to put small forwards through the midfield, so rivals should plan for Sam Switkowski and Michael Frederick to push up the ground.
The forward line is arguably the club's biggest improvement area, but, at times throughout 2024, it showed plenty of promise.
Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss took major steps forward in their development, combining for 81 goals last year despite playing around 50 games each.
Treacy will be a big focal point of the Dockers' attack this year, but will hopefully be less burdened by the performance of mobile ruckman Luke Jackson.
Given his versatility, the former Demon will likely start forward and swap into the ruck, affording Amiss the second or third defender.
But what has been consistent is the small forward contingent at Fremantle, with Switkowski and Frederick running rampant, while Bailey Banfield generally pops up for a goal a game.
As mentioned, Bolton's inclusion will only increase the firepower inside the forward 50 while Young and Fyfe are capable forwards when needed.
Quinton Narkle also proved his worth during his stint at Port Adelaide as a pressure forward and could add a spark while veteran Michael Walters will be fighting for his spot in the senior side.
FB: Luke Ryan, Alex Pearce, Heath Chapman
HB: Brandon Walker, Brennan Cox, Jordan Clark
C: Jeremy Sharp, Hayden Young, Bailey Banfield
HF: Sam Switkowski, Josh Treacy, Shai Bolton
FF: Michael Frederick, Jye Amiss, Luke Jackson
FO: Sean Darcy, Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong
I/C: Matthew Johnson, James Aish, Nat Fyfe, Michael Walters
SUB: Jaeger O'Meara
Others to consider: Josh Draper, Murphy Reid, Nathan O'Driscoll, Corey Wagner, Quinton Narkle, Neil Erasmus, Sam Sturt