FREMANTLE veteran Paul Duffield says he needs to keep improving if he wants to re-establish himself as a mainstay in the Dockers' backline.
Duffield earned life membership at Fremantle last season and had been a lock in Ross Lyon's trusted back six since 2012.
But Duffield was dropped following the Dockers' only loss of the year against Richmond in round 10 and was sent back to the WAFL to find some form.
He won a recall and was a solid contributor in Fremantle's 36-point win over the Brisbane Lions on Sunday.
Duffield told AFL.com.au he was not satisfied with his form this season and he had to keep improving.
"I've been a little bit disappointed in my own year," Duffield said.
"I don't think I've played as well this year and with form I've found myself out of the side.
"I'm thankful to get another opportunity today but like everyone I've just got to keep improving on my game. No one is the first picked, everyone has to keep improving and that's the way our side works."
Duffield, 30, is set to become a free agent at the end of the year after clocking up 10 years at Fremantle.
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He said he remained positive after losing his place in the team.
"You don't ever drop your bundle or anything like that," Duffield said.
"You just keep working and improving and have a good attitude and you work hard. It doesn't really matter whether you've played one game or 200 games.
"If you do that for long enough, eventually you'll play pretty good footy one way or another. So that's it really simply."
Duffield said the Dockers faced an enormous challenge next week taking on Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium.
"It's a huge task," he said.
"I can't remember ever beating them down there. It's a really tough challenge for us but we're playing some good footy so we'll be going down there with our best effort."
The Dockers have never beaten in the Hawks in seven attempts at the venue.
They have only won once in Launceston, against St Kilda in round five, 2006, which was Duffield's first game of AFL football.
