FREMANTLE skipper Matthew Pavlich says the Dockers have "upped the ante" this pre-season, with the efficiency and intensity of the playing group better than ever.
After playing finals for the last three consecutive seasons, Fremantle is still searching for the ultimate success.
The club made its first Grand Final appearance in 2013, but was unable to repeat that feat in 2014, bowing out of the finals in straight sets with losses to the Sydney Swans and Port Adelaide.
Coach Ross Lyon indicated at the Doig Medal presentation last year that the team should expect changes to their pre-season program in preparation for season 2015.
Pavlich said the coach had been true to his word.
"I think the group has just been a lot more efficient and intense in their training," Pavlich told Docker TV.
"Efficient in terms of us using our time really effectively whilst we are here at the footy club to improve not only our body shapes and our fitness abilities, but our learning and our growth in that side of the game-plan.
"In terms of intensity, the training has been very football focused, a lot of short sharp efforts and trying to replicate what we're doing in a game.
"Certainly we've upped the ante and we've made sure that not only are we training hard on the field, but off the field we are studying our game-plan trying to improve that, to ensure that when round one starts we are ready to go."
It's Pavlich's 16th pre-season at Fremantle, and despite celebrating his 33rd birthday on New Year's Eve he isn't showing any signs of slowing down.
The skipper managed 22 games last year, 10 more than in 2013 when he was sidelined with injury, and was instrumental up forward kicking 46 goals.
Pavlich said he was still looking for ways to improve his own game, but a large focus of his pre-season was helping the forward line group develop their skills.
"I'm really pleased with where I'm at the moment and training quite well," he said.
"I was able to do a fair bit of work in the off-season to maintain a level of fitness, as well as work on a few issues with my body in terms of where I'm at with my age.
Matthew Pavlich working hard at pre-season training. Picture: AFL Media
"I'm always trying to get that little bit better in every aspect of what I do, particularly in the way I prepare.
"I try to be as meticulous as I can but a part of my role now is also to assist Matt Taberner, Michael Apeness, Chris Mayne, and by virtue of that, improving Michael Walters, Hayden Ballantyne, Hayden Crozier, our forward line group."
Fremantle lost the 2013 Grand Final to Hawthorn, who have become the benchmark side of the competition over the last two seasons.
The Hawks returned to training at Waverley Park this week.
The players participated in a light skills session on Monday and on Tuesday a small group of 14 players ran laps and practiced goal kicking.
They included forwards Jack Gunston and Luke Breust, and midfielders Liam Shiels, Isaac Smith and Billy Hartung.
