Inconsistent Fremantle forward Chris Tarrant looks set to be moved from the forward line in an effort to re-discover the form that once took him to All-Australian selection.
Speaking at training on Tuesday, Dockers' coach Mark Harvey suggested the 28-year-old may be growing stale in the forward line, indicating Tarrant could be used in a midfield or half-back role during 2009.
But Harvey denied it was a make or break season for the former Magpie, who only managed 16 games and 23 goals last season before shoulder surgery finished off his campaign in early August.
"Sometimes a change can be as good as anything," said Harvey.
"Dealing with players who have been involved in the game for a long period of time, you just sometimes need to spark them."
"Chris has got a really good aerobic base and rather than just make him the stereotype forward, I'm going to see how he evolves in and around things like stoppages."
"He's got that ability to run and carry the load of a midfielder from a running aspect, (so) it'll be an interesting time for Chris."
With several highly credentialed fitness coaches employed by Fremantle since last season, the Dockers looked raring to go as they trained on a hot morning in Perth, Harvey declaring the measurements indicated team fitness was 10-15 per cent up on last season.
The news will be a boost for Harvey, whose review of last season, where the Dockers lost several close matches through final-quarter fadeouts, suggested fitness was a primary concern.
Harvey, though, said he would use the pre-season matches to fine tune his squad's fitness going into Round 1 and added that new draftees Stephen Hill and Nick Suban could have the conditioning to play against Richmond, in the club's first NAB Cup hit-out at Subiaco on February 15.
"Without putting too much pressure on a younger player Suban (pick 24 in the National Draft) and Hill (pick three), have a really good footballing instinct," Harvey said.
"Not to say the other guys (draftees) don't, but they're the guys that have stood out a little over the last few weeks."