FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon has admitted the Dockers lost their identity to a degree in 2016 and are set to recalibrate in what looms as a monster pre-season for the club.

The Dockers embarked on a different strategy last pre-season following the 2015 preliminary final loss to Hawthorn.

There was a heavy emphasis placed on kicking and ball movement, particularly from defence.

They worked tirelessly, and ultimately fruitlessly, on trying to improve those areas at a cost of some of contested and defensive aspects and structures that made them so tough to beat between 2012 and 2015.

Speaking at Fremantle's best and fairest awards on Saturday night at Crown Perth, Lyon said the Dockers were set to regain their identity this pre-season.   

"There's no doubt in 2016, and we've discussed this with the leadership group, we moved too far from what we value and lost our identity to an extent as a team," Lyon said.

"Our belief is we will re-align to our values and embrace the possibility mindset that anything is possible and we'll pursue excellence as we have done so successfully in the past."

Lyon was bullish about his side's chances of bouncing back into finals contention quickly given the return of stars such as Nat Fyfe, Aaron Sandilands, Michael Johnson and Harley Bennell, who all missed large portions of the season due to injury.

The coach also said the AFL landscape had changed significantly due to the new pre-finals bye, which should give every team hope following the Western Bulldogs' historic premiership win from seventh.

"The competition has never been more even," Lyon said.

"The finals equation has changed indisputably with the introduction of the bye pre- the first final. It's the first time in 15 years anyone outside the top four has made the Grand Final. It's in, and it's an opportunity for everyone that can make the finals."

The Dockers are likely to be very active during the trade and draft period.

Bradley Hill and Cam McCarthy look set to be traded in while Geelong forward Shane Kersten also looms as a potential recruit.

The Dockers have made 10 list changes already and there could be further moves with Chris Mayne expected to join Collingwood as a free agent while Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Barlow could also find new homes. Zac Clarke is also a free agent and weighing up his options.

The Dockers paid tribute to the 10 known departures at the best and fairest but there was no mention of the futures of Mayne, Ballantyne, Barlow or Clarke during the formal proceedings.

Lyon was emotional when he singled out four departing players.

"I'd like to single out Tendai Mzungu, Matt de Boer, Clancee Pearce and Matthew Pavlich for the last five years," Lyon said.

"Your character and your work ethic, your relentless preparation, your competitiveness – you leave with all the respect and admiration that I can muster.

"They all played critical parts in big games and campaigns in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. It's really hard to say goodbye."

Pavlich has retired after 353 games while Mzungu, de Boer and Pearce were all delisted.

Mzungu and de Boer are both weighing up their options as other AFL clubs have inquired about both men.

Pearce looks set to join Swan Districts in the WAFL.