Fremantle’s young star Adam Cerra has backed his Eastern Ranges teammate Tom North to have an impact at AFL level this year as the Dockers look for options to replace the departed Lachie Neale and injured pair Connor Blakely and Stephen Hill.

Blakely and Hill are expected to miss the start of the season. Cerra said he, Andrew Brayshaw, Stefan Giro, recruits Brett Bewley, Reece Conca and Travis Colyer and North would be part of the replacement solution for the Dockers.

“We have got multiple players training through the midfield,” he said. “Andy, Brett Bewley is coming in, Stef Giro, Tom North who hasn’t been revealed yet is a solid midfielder. There are still plenty of players who can role through that role and help to fill it.”

“I have played with Tom since under 15s pretty much having grown up near him in Melbourne .

“He is a big bodied inside midfielder who has a knack of finding the footy. He has a lot to show when he finally makes his debut I reckon.”

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“Last year he had a few injuries and was trying to get that match fitness up to the level. He has been doing full pre-season this year and hopefully sometime this year he can break into the team.”

North played 11 games at Peel in 2018, averaging better than 18 disposals per game but was hampered by a series of niggling injuries.

Camera Icon Second-year Fremantle midfielder Tom North, playing during last year’s AFLX competition. Credit: AFL Media, Michael Willson

He was pick 65 in the 2017 draft when Cerra was taken at pick 5 by the Dockers.

Cerra said he was much better prepared for the season after being able to do more work this pre-season.

“it was a bit frustrating last year coming off the shoulder. I think I missed all the training before Christmas and was a bit behind the group. This year I am with the group - full fitness and I am looking forward to a big year,” he said.

“I have been training for the half back and midfield roles so I wouldn’t be surprised if I play a bit of half back and midfield.”

“I am a lot more prepared than last year. I have put on more weight. I feel a lot fitter. I have probably added three or four kilos since the end of the season. I think that is just expected as you get older and more mature. I am hoping that helps me whether I am playing half back or in the midfield.”

He also expects the Dockers to pursue a more aggressive game style with Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb in the team.

“In our attacking side we have a bigger focus on penetrating with the footy because we have those two targets. Big talls. We want to use it as a strength. The quicker we get it into them, put defenders under pressure and get numbers to the ball the better. We probably lacked a bit there last year especially with Tabs (Matt Taberner) getting injured but this year we have got many forwards to choose from,” he said.