HIGH-PROFILE Fremantle recruit Mark Johnson made a major impression on his new AFL club with an outstanding display in the team's first serious match practice of the season.

Freo provided one of the shocks of the NAB AFL National Draft when they selected the Essendon premiership defender with pick 55. Johnson turns 30 in May, was dropped to the VFL twice late in the 2007 season and was de-listed by new coach Matthew Knights.

But the 194-game veteran showed he still has plenty of football left in him as Fremantle played three spirited 10-minute periods. Johnson played across half-forward against Marcus Drum and came to life after Jeff Farmer left the field after pulling up short in a marking contest.

Freo says Farmer will be fine to travel to South Africa on Sunday in a 26-man squad for an exhibition game against Carlton on February 2.

But Johnson capitalised on his opportunity by kicking two of his team's five goals, setting up a third and having another shot for goal which fell short.

Fremantle assistant coach Peter German said the match committee didn't need to be reminded of his ability.

“We picked him because we know he's going to be good value for us," German said.

"We're really pleased with what he's done so far. Mark's a player who already has endeared himself on the player group just with his work ethic and his hardness. We know what we're going to get pretty much week after week. It's the first opportunity that Mark's had to play against his new teammates and he probably wanted to make a pretty good impression on them.

"It was a good opportunity for the players to match up against each other. A few went head to head and some of the young kids got a good hit out. We're still looking to see how the team unfolds. This is the first opportunity the players have had to go head to head."

Peter Bell, Paul Hasleby, Scott Thornton, Roger Hayden and Rob Warnock missed the session but first round draft pick Rhys Palmer showed his potential with two goals and a stunning tackle on Paul Duffield after a prolonged chase through the centre square.

An aggressive Des Headland quickly protected Palmer from the physical attention his opponent Byron Schammer dished out late in the match, but it was Schammer's ball winning that drew strong praise from German. This time last year, the South Australian was in hospital recovering from two bouts of stomach surgery which resulted in him losing 16kg.

"It's been terrific. Compared to last year when at this time he was gone and we didn't think we'd get anything out of him. He's going to be a real bonus for us. He's got great work ethic, great endurance and he's an important player for us as well," German said.

While in South Africa the players will visit an orphanage for HIV positive children, a prison, a centre for street kids, Nelson Mandela's house and an apartheid museum while also conducting clinics with the locals.