Fremantle defenders Joel Hamling and Alex Pearce have made successful returns from injury in their team's 47-point thumping of West Coast.
Hamling and Pearce missed all of last year with horrific ankle injuries, but the pair stood tall against the likes of Jack Darling, Jarrod Brander, and Oscar Allen in Saturday's practice match at Lathlain Park.
Pearce came off in the third quarter and had a big ice pack applied to his left ankle, but coach Justin Longmuir said his early exit was part of a managed minutes strategy rather than an injury.
"He hit his minutes. We were saying all along with Pearce and Hamling it will be a slower build," Longmuir said.
"It's good as a coach to have your senior backs out there.
"They performed their roles, and they took a step forward. They were both planned to have less minutes and they got through, which Is good."
Dockers skipper Nat Fyfe starred through the middle in the 16.11 (107) to 9.6 (60) victory before being rested after halftime, while Michael Walters booted four goals in a dazzling display.
Dockers forward Josh Treacy, who was taken by Fremantle in last year's rookie draft, showed some promising signs to finish with two goals.
All-Australian defender Luke Ryan sent an injury scare through Fremantle's camp in the second quarter when he copped a knee to the back from Brander in a scramble for the ball.
Ryan writhed in pain on the ground for more than a minute, but scans later cleared him of any major damage.
"We were a little bit worried about a broken bone, but we had it scanned there and it was all clear," Longmuir said.
"He will be sore and sorry for a few days, but it's a good sign he hasn't broken anything."
Adam Cerra's calf tightened up in the second quarter - a niggle he has been carrying recently.
Eagles defender Tom Barrass went off in the second quarter, but Eagles assistant coach Jaymie Graham said it was just man management and not an injury.
Eagles recruit Zac Langdon rolled his ankle late in the match.
Graham said the Eagles would need to improve on numerous facets of their game to be ready for round one.
"We weren't happy with the way we went and Freo were pretty good. They really pressured us into some poor decisions and they kicked 16 goals themselves. We've got a bit of work to do," Graham said.
Both teams entered the match missing a host of their stars.
West Coast were without Nic Naitanui, Josh Kennedy, Elliot Yeo, and Tim Kelly, while the Dockers were missing Matt Taberner, Sean Darcy, Griffin Logue, and Stephen Hill.
The two teams will clash again on Sunday week in an official pre-season match.
Australian Associated Press
