After a disappointing 2023 season that followed a finals-finishing campaign, Fremantle will have their sights set on a September return next year.
The club endured an unwanted player movement period, losing all of Liam Henry, Lachie Schultz and Joel Hamling despite the club's desire to retain all three players.
Without a first-round selection at the National Draft as well, the Dockers couldn't add in leading draft talent despite a 14th-placed finish.
Senior coach Justin Longmuir enters the 2024 season off-contract and needs to prove this year was an outlier in his journey with the Western Australian club.
With no headling recruits making their way to Cockburn, it's likely the Dockers will start the new season with a side made up of 2023 listed players and without some key roles players.
So, what does Longmuir's best side for next season look like? We've had a go at naming Fremantle's best 23-man team for 2024...
BEST 23s: ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, CARLTON, COLLINGWOOD, ESSENDON
The Dockers will again look to rely on a formidable defensive line again in 2024, led by skipper Alex Pearce and All-Australian backman Luke Ryan on Justin Longmuir's last line.
Key tall Brennan Cox has been an integral piece in the Dockers' defensive stocks over the past couple of seasons and will again partner with Pearce to negate the opposition's key forward threats.
At their feet, Brandon Walker and Jordan Clark will offer two-way run while Heath Chapman will be a welcomed addition after the emerging flanker spent a majority of the 2023 season on the sidelines.
Star backman Hayden Young is poised to continue his transition into the middle of the field but will spend periods of next year across half-back.
Ethan Hughes will provide some run as a depth option, while James Aish, Corey Wagner, Karl Worner and Jeremy Sharp could all do the same.
Second-year backman Hugh Davies could get a look at his first AFL minutes in 2024 after the departure of Joel Hamling, while draftee Ollie Murphy also adds to the club's key defensive stocks.
The Dockers' top line of talent is formed by their midfield contingent, with leaders Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw among the best onballers in the competition.
They gained some support this year with the addition of Jaeger O'Meara as well as Hayden Young's move into midfield, while silver service from their star ruck pairing of Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson was a constant.
Fremantle also having an exciting crop of young midfielders coming through the ranks, with Matthew Johnson and Neil Erasmus set to enter their third seasons in purple while Nathan O'Driscoll and mid-year recruit Ethan Stanley have shown glimpses at the top level.
Their wing roles will be a watch this year, with Johnson likely to slot onto one side of the field while James Aish will press his case for the other once again. With Liam Henry departing, Longmuir could look to one of Sam Switkowski or Michael Frederick as a wing/half-forward asset to start the 2024 season.
Veteran Nat Fyfe will again share his duties between the forward and middle thirds of the field, while Will Brodie will be hoping he can return to his blistering 2022 form after a year spent mostly in the WAFL or on the sidelines.
Draftee Cooper Simpson is an outside chance for a debut early into next year but can impress with his explosiveness and run.
Getting the ruck balance right will be key for the Dockers' hopes of returning to the top eight, with Darcy needing to develop his forward craft after failing to ignite in the early days of his partnership with Jackson.
The duo hold key roles in Fremantle's spine and could be the difference in whether they're still in contention come September.
Josh Treacy can provide some support as a pinch-hit ruck/forward target if required, while Liam Reidy is on standby as a depth big man.
The losses of Liam Henry and Lachie Schultz are sizeable, with the latter leading the goals tally among Fremantle small forwards this year with 33.
Michael Walters, Sam Switkowski and Michael Frederick are more than serviceable and will look to connect the Dockers' front half of the field.
Neil Erasmus is likely to follow in their footsteps as an exciting half-forward, while Jeremy Sharp offers some attacking tendencies while Sam Sturt and Bailey Banfield are further depth options.
One of the aforementioned Jackson and Darcy will rest up forward and partner with the promising Jye Amiss, who will likely spearhead Longmuir's attack to start next season.
After almost an entire year spent on the sidelines, Matt Taberner will be looking to break back into the team and work alongside Amiss as a twin tall pairing, while Treacy is also strongly in the mix.
Nat Fyfe is another high-leaping target who will likely spend more time in the front third as he continues to hone his forward craft.
Tom Emmett showed plenty of promise late into the 2023 season and is firmly in the mix for a starting role come Round 1 with a full pre-season under his belt.
FB: Luke Ryan, Alex Pearce, Heath Chapman
HB: Brandon Walker, Brennan Cox, Jordan Clark
C: Matthew Johnson, Hayden Young, Michael Frederick
HF: Sam Switkowski, Luke Jackson, Nat Fyfe
FF: Matt Taberner, Jye Amiss, Michael Walters
FO: Sean Darcy, Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong
I/C: Jaeger O'Meara, James Aish, Ethan Hughes, Neil Erasmus
SUB: Nathan O'Driscoll
Also in the mix: Josh Treacy, Jeremy Sharp, Sam Sturt, Corey Wagner, Will Brodie, Tom Emmett, Bailey Banfield