Fremantle youngster Connor Blakely is capable of stepping into the midfield hole left by gun clearance winner Lachie Neale next season, according to club great Paul Hasleby.

Hasleby also called for injury-troubled first-round draft pick Griffin Logue to be unleashed as a wingman as the Dockers look to reshape their midfield in the wake of Neale’s move to Brisbane.

Blakely, 22, was drafted as an inside midfielder but has played mainly at half-back over the past two seasons.

A prolific ball-winner at junior level, Blakely has played 46 matches in four years and missed the last nine games this season with a knee injury.

“He was a star under-age player as a midfielder and he had been groomed in the back line because I think there’s been a need for that from a club point of view,” Hasleby said.

Don't miss the latest sports news! Was $13 now $7 per week for 12 weeks* (Digital + Print) Enjoy unlimited access to thewest.com.au and everyday digital editions on any device. Thursday - Monday papers home delivered with all of the latest footy news! *T&Cs apply

“But now clearly the need is to go into the midfield. He’s a high-possession winner and he’s not too dissimilar to Lachie Neale. He wins his own footy on the inside and is very good at impacting games as well.”

Neale was the Dockers’ leading clearance player this season with an average of 7.1 per game, ranking him fifth in the AFL.

Hasleby said 207cm Greater Western Sydney recruit Rory Lobb was an ideal fit to play a forward-second ruck role, but warned Lobb’s inclusion meant Fremantle faced a significant quandary when it came to sharing games between champion veteran Aaron Sandilands, who turns 36 in December, and 20-year-old ruckman Sean Darcy.

“That’s the big question that needs to be answered over the pre-season. Aaron Sandilands has clearly got the runs on the board if he’s fit, but you do have to be careful I think going forward,” Hasleby said.

“If Sean Darcy is fit and ready you wouldn’t want to leave him out too often next year because you just don’t know what happens after that — whether he chooses to go elsewhere. But both are really good options and it’s a good problem to have.”

The Dockers have brought in Lobb, Melbourne spearhead Jesse Hogan, Essendon speedster Travis Colyer and Richmond free agent Reece Conca.

They also have picks 14, 31, 43 and 65 in a replenished national draft hand courtesy of a savvy pick swap deal with Port Adelaide, however Hasleby said it was too early to declare Fremantle’s trade period a success.

“Obviously at stages they had pick 5 and 6 and if they turn out to be Buddy Franklin and Matthew Pavlich, then it doesn’t look good,” he said.