THE BYE came at a good time for Fremantle to get a mental and physical rest despite a dominant start to the season, Dockers defender Lee Spurr says.

The Dockers produced the finest start to a season in the club's history, winning the first nine games and turning at the halfway point at 10-1.

But the Dockers have tapered off in their form over the last month.

They delivered tight wet weather wins over Adelaide and Gold Coast, either side of a loss to Richmond at home where they gave up an eight-goal first term to the Tigers.

Spurr said the bye was a good mental break for the players as much as a physical rest.

"(It's) a mental rejuvenation more than anything," Spurr said.

"I think every player at that stage of the year - you've played 11 straight games - you're looking forward to having a break at that stage and it physically gives you the little rest that you need."

The Dockers' scoring average dropped off significantly over the last three matches. They averaged 97 points per game in the first eight rounds, showcasing a slightly different forward structure to previous seasons featuring three talls, and some improved ball movement that they had been worked at tirelessly over the summer.

But the quality of their ball movement dropped slightly in the last three matches and their scoring dried to just 64 points per game.

Spurr said the weather in those games played a part, but they would re-adjust.

"We didn't have great use of the ball," Spurr said.

"The conditions didn't really help against Gold Coast, it was quite wet, and Adelaide the same, and Richmond it was still a bit greasy.

"So it's just that hitting the target and getting it in. Everyone wants to move the ball quick.

"You have to play the game. You can't be perfect every time."

The Dockers face Collingwood on Thursday, a side which has kicked 100 points or more in each of the last five matches, winning four of them.

Spurr appears set to go to dangerous Magpies forward Jamie Elliott, who has kicked 14 goals in the last month, including two bags of five.

"I've played on Jamie a couple of times," Spurr said.

"He works really hard. He's got that great leap and that great launch, and he works up and down and he's in really good form.

"So he'll be a really tough opponent and you've just got to do everything you can to try and stop him."