Well into his seventh pre-season with Freo, defender Alex Silvagni said it had been the familiar faces in the forward line that continue to impress.



“That Matthew Pavlich guy has been alright,” Silvagni quipped.



“The usual suspects, Hayden Ballantyne, 'Sonny' (Michael) Walters have all been very good too.”



While the mainstays of Freo’s forward line continue to perform, Silvagni also said the young defenders he plays alongside have started to come into their own.



“(Having) the young guys down back, it’s been fantastic,” he said.



“We’ve all been chopping and changing positions, but we’ve got some talented kids in there.”

Prior impressed with defence stocks



Silvagni said he didn’t feel any pressure to step up following the retirement of defensive stalwart Luke McPharlin, and insisted that improvement of the entire defensive unit was the goal.



“I don’t feel any of that pressure, never really have,” he said.



“I always want to improve, and step up like everyone else.



“It’s something we all need to do to be the best.”



After missing much of 2015 due to a hamstring issue as well as having off-season surgery, Silvagni said that while challenging, the pre-season had been beneficial for him.



“I’ve had about six full sessions now,” he said.



“The body is holding up, and it’s about building from here.



“It’s very challenging, but everyone is tracking along really well.”