ROSS Lyon has described 2016 as Fremantle's annus horribilis, the year of disaster.

There are some things the Dockers must do ahead of round one next season to ensure it remains just one year of disaster, rather than two or three.

The club is strong in its belief it will rebound quickly, but they can't search for a magic silver bullet. They need to be methodical and calculated in what they do ahead of the first match next season.

1. Turn the list over
Ross Lyon is on record saying there will be a rebuild. The Dockers cannot sell the farm though and need to keep some key experienced personnel to help with the development of youth. David Mundy, Aaron Sandilands, Michael Johnson, Zac Dawson, Garrick Ibbotson, Hayden Ballantyne, Nick Suban and Danyle Pearce are all contracted for next year, but some of those players may only last one more season. Most of the uncontracted players will be up for trade, but if there is no suitable deal for a midfielder like Michael Barlow then he could be retained as his experience will be valuable. Alex Silvagni has shown in recent weeks he might still be of value in defence if he is not targeted by opposition clubs.    

Match preview: Fremantle v Adelaide

2. Trade wisely
Bradley Hill and Cam McCarthy are both linked to Fremantle in possible trade deals, but the Dockers can't afford to give away decent picks given their long-term draft strategy - they need to get the deals right. Freo should not part with pick No.3 to get these deals done. They do not have a second-round pick currently (traded to Gold Coast in 2015). The Dockers could get a heap of picks via free agency compensation if four of the five free agents find another home. They could also use the likes of Barlow, Suban and Ibbotson in trade deals. They will not gain high picks but they could sell the Giants a group of picks given they are looking to stockpile for academy talent. The Hawthorn deal is pivotal, and the Dockers must be prepared to walk away if the Hawks' asking price is too steep. Hill is not a must-have for Fremantle next year and the Dockers might be better placed when he is out of contract in 2017 to do a suitable deal. But one other option could involve Freo youngster Ed Langdon, who is out of contract and may consider a move home to Victoria. He possesses speed, running capacity and can kick goals, which would interest the Hawks. His brother is at Collingwood and the Magpies could be well placed to do a deal as well. 

3. Draft some talls
A lack of talls has been a major deficiency in recent years. Of the 14 picks the Dockers have taken over the last four NAB AFL drafts only four players have been taller than 190cm. They have added other talls via the rookie and pre-season drafts, but they need to find some key position talent as early as they can in the national draft. 

4. Sign Nat Fyfe
This task might seem impossible to complete by round one next year with Fyfe on record saying he will assess all his options as he is set to become a free agent at the end of 2017. But if Fremantle wants to send a message to the competition and announce itself as a team that is headed back in the right direction, and quickly, then Fyfe's signature is a priority prior to round one. A grand announcement at the Dockers' brand new state-of-the-art training facility in the Perth summer sun would be a strong message to both the competition and fans. If he buys in prior to round one next year, others will follow and Fremantle becomes a destination club.  

5. Get Harley Bennell fit
Bennell has missed the entire season due to a calf injury. He has also only managed 15 games in each of his last three seasons, but to miss a whole year with a calf is extremely rare for a 23-year-old. The long-term strategy to get him right needs to pay off next year. A midfield featuring Sandilands, Fyfe, Bennell and Lachie Neale would be imposing. 

Harley Bennell in a Freo jumper is a rare sight so far. Picture: AFL Photos

6. Do more pre-season running
Lyon has already flagged this. In an effort to improve their kicking the Dockers brought the footballs out day one of the last pre-season and tried to build the running into the skills program. But they have lost some gut run this year and it has hurt them. The players can expect to be sweating it out this summer. 

7. Find a way to improve the ball movement
They have done nearly three times the work on this aspect of their game this year and it hasn't paid off. Lyon has said his coaching team needs to improve the messaging and the way they work with the players. The players need to continue to sharpen the fundamentals. 

8. Find a ruck strategy
No team has had less certainty around its ruck combinations this year than Fremantle. Aaron Sandilands' freak injury has contributed heavily, but he turns 34 in December. The Dockers need to work out what they need long-term in the ruck department. 

9. Find some new leaders
The Dockers need emerging leaders to grow with their young players. Nat Fyfe (24) is the only member of the Dockers' six-man leadership group under the age of 29. Experienced veterans are invaluable in developing teams and should never be discounted, but there is a need for some younger leaders that can bridge the generation gap within the group.     

Lachie Neale would be one Docker seen as a future leader. Picture: AFL Photos