A FIT and strong Anthony Morabito looks ready to make another comeback, and appears set for a new role in defence after an uninterrupted summer on the training track.
Fremantle teammate Connor Blakely said the luckless 24-year-old could be set to play as a versatile defender this season after training with the backline throughout the summer.
Morabito has made a remarkable return to full fitness this pre-season after missing all of last year due to ongoing problems with his troubled left knee.
He was the feel-good story of the 2014 season when he made an extraordinary comeback to AFL football after missing three seasons due to three knee reconstructions.
He played three AFL games that year but has not played a single match at any level since, after suffering severe bone bruising and ongoing soreness in his left knee.
Morabito was given time away from the club last year and travelled overseas to give his knee a rest. The club elected to delist him with a guarantee to redraft him as a rookie.
He returned to training in September and after a long build-up of running of strength work during the off-season, he has hardly missed a session with the main group.
Morabito made his name as a dynamic midfielder in 2010, when he played 23 games in his debut season, but has been training in defence during the summer and played on both talls and smalls during the Dockers' match simulation drills at training on Monday.
Blakely said Morabito was in superb shape and could be a versatile asset as a defender this season.
"He's such a strong guy and a fit guy," Blakely said.
"He's so quick out there. He's someone if he gets up and going he could be very damaging.
"He can play on smalls and talls. He's so quick, so he can play on smalls, and he so big as well, big and strong, he's a huge guy. I think he's 93 or 94kg, so he can play on both."
The Dockers had good numbers training with the main group on Monday at Fremantle Oval. Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe made a long-awaited return and Blakely said he was in great shape.
"He looked really smooth," Blakely said.
"He's such a strong guy. He slipped in seamlessly as well.
"He's going really well. He's looking fit and strong as per usual. He's the ultimate professional."
Nat Fyfe at Fremantle training on Monday. Picture: Fremantlefc.com.au
Ruckman Zac Clarke also made a return to the main group after spending much of the pre-season in the rehab group managing his ongoing knee issues. But he did some ruck work in the match simulation drills and looked to be moving well.
Mature-age recruit Shane Yarran also joined the main group on Monday after recovering from the knee problem he has carried since last year's WAFL Grand Final.
Veteran Michael Johnson was also back in action after being managed over the past couple of weeks.
Young key position prospects Michael Apeness and Alex Pearce remain in the rehab group but both were moving well in their running drills and appear to edging closer to a return to full training.
Star new recruit Harley Bennell continued to work to his own program.
