WITH its premiership window fast closing, Fremantle will need a bit of luck if it is to come away with the spoils this year.

After coming so close to snaring an elusive flag in 2013 the Dockers went backwards last season with a straight-sets finals exit.

Many pundits are tipping the Dockers to slide again this year, especially with the future of star tagger Ryan Crowley in doubt after testing positive to a banned substance.

Skipper Matthew Pavlich, ruckman Aaron Sandilands and defender Luke McPharlin are in the twilight of their careers and time is running out for them to play in a premiership.

But any team featuring the midfield strength of Nat Fyfe, David Mundy, Michael Barlow, Stephen Hill and Lachie Neale should not be written off.

And with Ross Lyon running the show, you can guarantee that Fremantle's trademark hard edge will be present.

A total of 21 players set personal bests during this summer's 3km time trials. But age and injuries loom as Fremantle's biggest concerns as they attempt to forge a flag-winning plan.

McPharlin is no certainty to make it through the season after battling quad, knee and calf issues last year.

Fellow defender Michael Johnson was struck down by a back injury so painful he could barely run near the end of last season.

And if Fyfe's shoulder pops out at any point, any genuine hope of a Fremantle flag could be over quickly.

Although the Dockers possess the second oldest list in the competition, but there is plenty of upside in the club's emerging young talent.

Hayden Crozier, Tom Sheridan, Matt Taberner, Cameron Sutcliffe and Neale continue to improve, while small forward Michael Walters is fit and firing again after overcoming a serious ankle injury.

Fremantle boasted the second-best defence in the AFL last season, but the Dockers' aim of improving their attack by two goals a game fell flat with their potency dropping slightly.

However, the late-season emergence of 21-year-old Taberner bodes well this year as they search for Pavlich's perfect foil.

Sandilands is also expected to spend longer stints in attack, with 200cm youngster Michael Apeness also a chance to play up forward.

Throw in Hayden Ballantyne and Walters at ground level and Fremantle possesses an attack capable of kicking big scores.

Defence could be a problem area if injuries strike. McPharlin and Johnson are vulnerable to injury, while Zac Dawson will miss the start of the season because of a groin issue.

Any contribution from Anthony Morabito will be a bonus. But given his history of three knee reconstructions, the Dockers should not expect much.

Fremantle faces Port Adelaide (home), Geelong (away), West Coast and Sydney (home) in a daunting start to the season.

But Pavlich said the tricky schedule should be embraced, rather than feared.

"We want to play against the best and beat the best," Pavlich said.

"To get where we really want to get at the end of the year, we're going to have to be able to do that on a regular basis."