Fremantle might have finished 14th in Harvey's first full season in charge, but it had chances to win at least six more games if it wasn’t for inferior fitness and lapses in intensity.
The majority of the experienced players have now moved on and, with 14 new faces appearing in the club's photo shoot on Wednesday, Harvey has no doubt they are working harder and for longer than past years.
"Certainly the volume of training has been extended. Where that leads to in a game remains to be seen, but we're moving into learning the game style now as the running takes secondary position to the football drills," Harvey said.
"We haven’t had anyone break down and, with the volumes up, that would suggest we are positioned a little better than last year."
Periods of extended pressure was one key element missing from Fremantle’s performances last season. It is an area the coach is particularly mindful of as the club build towards its NAB Cup opener against Richmond at Subiaco Oval.
"There's not a lot of down time at our training at the moment and we have to extend ourselves. With that comes taking the players to the edge and there will be another week or so of that.
"The players are coping with it all quite well. We want them to sustain pressure for longer periods of time."
Paul Hasleby is a chance to return from his knee reconstruction during the pre-season competition, with a host of youngsters also expected to make their first appearance in a Fremantle jumper.
But Harvey's main focus is on preparing his best possible 22 for the round one clash with the Western Bulldogs.
"When you have the changing of the guard that we've had, there'll be a bit of seeing what we do have [with our newer players]," he said.
"At some stage we will have to settle the team down, but we want to see what our players are capable of. It's all about round one and getting the team ready for that."
Hasleby’s progress from the knee injury he sustained in the 2008 pre-season campaign has delighted his coach, with Harvey eager to have his star midfielder have a taste of some on-field action.
"He's done everything from the training aspect and I'm keen for Paul to get back into the groove of the AFL," he said.
"That might not just be in the midfield. I might use him in a different position where he can sit back and analyse the game a bit more. He is doing everything with us.
"We are moving into game simulation now and he's part of that so all the signs are good for Paul."
