FREMANTLE youngster Griffin Logue will study West Coast star Jeremy McGovern's intercept marking prowess as he attempts to break back into the Dockers' defence after a season ruined by injury.
Logue managed 13 appearances in 2017 – the most of any Freo debutant – but didn't add to his tally this year due to a congenital foot problem and rolled ankle.
The athletic 20-year-old needed surgery to remove a spare bone rubbing on a tendon in his foot and is confident the issue has been resolved after a frustrating year.
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Logue impressed on his return to training this week, finishing fourth in the 2km time trial between Freo's first-to-fourth-year players, and is aiming to complete a full pre-season workload in a bid to win back a spot in defence.
Michael Johnson's retirement has removed one competitor for a role as a third tall defender, although developing Taylin Duman and swingman Brennan Cox loom as other contenders.
"It's obviously a challenge getting back on the field and then breaking into the 22 that play each week," Logue said.
"The coach always says '44 blokes don't go into 22', but it's just another challenge I'm happy to take full on.
"Third tall is probably the best where it suits for me, but the game is changing and you never know what you can end up doing, (like) lockdown, but rolling off as a third tall is probably my main objective."
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Logue was taken at pick No.8 in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft after showcasing his intercepting ability at Swan Districts, and is working with development coach Roger Hayden and defensive mentor Michael Prior to pick apart McGovern's game.
"We kind of go through and work out players I'm trying to model my game around. Someone like McGovern is probably the ultimate roll-off player, but more of a key (position)," Logue said.
"It was certainly one of my strengths in my draft year, coming off and (intercepting),
"I'd like to get back to doing that, but like I said I'm happy to do whatever role for the team."
Logue joined about 20 teammates on the track at Cockburn on Friday, with wingman Bradley Hill also taking part in the skills session in an early return to training.
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His elder brother Stephen, who battled a litany of soft-tissue dramas last season, ran laps while boom recruit Jesse Hogan also made an earlier-than-expected appearance.
The former Melbourne star forward was restricted to walking laps as he gradually builds up his program after a navicular issue with his right foot ended his season.
Freo's other recruits Rory Lobb, Reece Conca and Travis Colyer are set to return in coming weeks after the club's productive NAB AFL Trade Period.
"I read up on a little bit of it and look at where everyone rates us in terms of our off-season Trade Period and I think we rated in the top two or three of the teams," Logue said.
"The four blokes coming in, the calibre of their skillset is really exciting to see and what they can bring to the table.
"They're all really great players in their own right. Coming in all together as one and mixing it with our dynamic bunch of players will be exciting to see for sure."
