STAR Fremantle wingman Stephen Hill faces a hugely interrupted pre-season after undergoing surgery on his troublesome right quad. 

Hill had an operation on Monday to remove scar tissue that was hampering his kicking. He isn't expected to start running again until late January or early February, throwing his start to the 2019 season into some doubt.

IS HOGAN THE ANSWER? Nick Bowen looks at the numbers

Fremantle medicos sought specialist advice last week to address the niggling discomfort Hill was experiencing when kicking. 

"Options to rectify the issue were considered by our medical team, with the specialist's advice being that Stephen undergo a procedure to remove the scar tissue on his quad," Dockers football manager Peter Bell said.

"Stephen had the procedure on Monday and the medical advice following his recovery is that he will be able to resume running in six to eight weeks."

CLUB LISTS COMPARED Oldest? Youngest? Most experienced?

Hill, who played his 200th senior game in round 15, managed just 13 games for the season - the lowest single-season tally of his 10 years at the top level. He averaged just 18.4 disposals, his lowest since 2012. 

Hill has managed just 31 games in the past two seasons after playing no fewer than 19 a season in his first eight years. 

The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of the 2019 season, when he is scheduled to become a restricted free agent.