FREMANTLE forward Amy Lavell kicked two goals in the first NAB AFL Women's season, which at first inspection seems an underwhelming tally. 

The Dockers' vice-captain arrived at the club in late 2016 as a veteran presence who had just headed the WAWFL's goalkicking with 51.

With that in mind, the scoreboard impact again seems scarce, even taking into account the seven-match season and Fremantle's struggles – but it is deceiving.

The AFL's official number-cruncher, Champion Data, rated Lavell's first campaign 'above average' for her position.

Only Lavell, who turns 31 in February, and the defensively minded Gabby O'Sullivan, received that rating among Dockers forwards.

Lavell may not have finished Fremantle's work, but she was second in the competition with seven score assists, three of which were goals. 

It goes further: the Dockers retained possession on 53 per cent of forward-50 entries when kicking to Lavell, a percentage that ranked third among the top-10 targets.

The 173cm focal point also won an impressive 37 per cent of her one-on-one contests.

Lavell and O'Sullivan will again be vital as Fremantle bids to rebound from finishing second-last in the maiden AFLW season.

Adelaide premiership player Kellie Gibson, originally from Western Australia, will add some dynamism to the Dockers' attack after returning home in the off-season. 

"We're really excited [about the new season] and working really well as a forward unit," Lavell said this week. 

"We looked at things last year that we probably could fix and we worked really hard in the pre-season to atone for that and we're ready to go. 

"[Gibson's] working in all areas of the ground, but it's really good to have her up forward and her experience will help lead the team, especially in the forward line." 

The Dockers won a scratch match over a West Australian Talent Academy squad last weekend and are in Darwin on Saturday for a practice match against the Crows.