NEW FREMANTLE assistant coach David Hale is having an immediate impact on the one-on-one marking skills of the Dockers' key forwards and ruckmen, according to Jon Griffin.
Hale was one of three new additions to the Dockers' coaching panel during the off-season following the departure of midfield coach Brett Kirk and head of development Simon Lloyd.
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Brent Guerra and Anthony Rock have headed west with Hale to bolster Ross Lyon's coaching group.
The three-time Hawthorn premiership player has already made his presence felt at Dockers training sessions, working specifically with the key forwards and ruckmen alongside ruck coach Simon Eastaugh.
Youngsters Matt Taberner and Jack Hannath have done some brutal one-on-one grappling and marking sessions with Hale over the last two weeks and Griffin revealed that he had been doing the same with veteran Aaron Sandilands.
"It's been pretty solid," Griffin said on Friday.
"The inclusion of 'Haley' has been awesome. I'm picking up some stuff that he obviously learnt over his career in marking contests. He's been great and I'm looking forward to working with him in the future."
Griffin, 29, had a fantastic end to the 2015 season, cementing his spot as the Dockers' second ruck behind Aaron Sandilands. He played eight of the last 10 games, missing two with a hamstring injury. He kicked nine goals, including two in the preliminary final loss to Hawthorn.
He also won the Dockers' best clubman award and signed a two-year contract extension to see him tied to the club until the end of 2017.
Griffin said he was in the best shape he had been in since before he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in May 2013.
"This is the fittest I've been for probably the last three years," Griffin said.
"I had a strong finish last year and I'm hoping to carry that momentum into 2016."
Griffin took over the Dockers' second ruck role from Zac Clarke who had been given his chance in 2013 due to Griffin's long-term injury.
Clarke has hardly been sighted on the training track during the pre-season so far as he continues rehab on his ongoing knee issues.
But Griffin said Clarke was working hard behind the scenes to ensure he was fit for the second phase of pre-season in the new year.
"He's working with the cross trainer and the rehab coaches," Griffin said.
"He's fit. We're looking forward to him coming back, hopefully soon.
"I think it's all precautionary type stuff. He's still doing the miles, don't worry about that. He's going to be ready to go, probably after Christmas."
