Promising Fremantle midfielder Andrew Brayshaw could be set for a breakout season in 2020 after impressing new coach Justin Longmuir already this pre-season.

The number two pick in the 2017 draft, Brayshaw has been used sporadically through the midfield in his first 39 games for the Dockers and the 20-year-old is eyeing more time in the centre square this year.

Brayshaw ran second to second-year midfielder Brett Bewley in last month’s 2km time trial and Longmuir said he’d been impressed with the condition he was in on his return to training.

“Someone like Andy Brayshaw has really excited me, not only in what he has delivered on the track but he came back in peak condition and improved his fitness from day one,” Longmuir told 6PR on Thursday night.

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“He has been really impressive.

“Brett Bewley, who I didn’t know a lot about when I got to the club, he has just been astonishing the way he has applied himself in the running and the skill work we have done.

“There have been 15 guys who have really impressed me, but they’re probably the two who stand out the most.”

One of the main focuses of Longmuir this pre-season was the Dockers’ skills, something he believes his coaching group has addressed early on.

Camera Icon Andrew Brayshaw has impressed Justin Longmuir in the new coach’s first pre-season. Credit: The West Australian

“Our first four to five weeks was heavily invested in our skill development and a little bit of game plan,” he said.

“But now we will switch into a bit more style of play and start to implement that side of the game.

“The skill development aspect is not something that I have tried to change, it is just a belief of mine that to develop players holistically you need to focus on their craft.

“It is our responsibility as coaches that we give them enough time to develop their individual skill.”

Longmuir also addressed concerns around injured defender Alex Pearce, who had surgery to strengthen his fractured left ankle, which ended his 2019 season in round 11.

“He had a little fracture in his ankle, which was well publicised and this is going to help it heal even quicker and better,” he said.

“Like I said to him, it is not so much about the start of the year for him, it is more about making sure we get him out there more consistently once he is out there. This will aid that.”

Longmuir said injury-prone forward Jesse Hogan was progressing well from navicular surgery and had completed goalkicking and leading work with the rest of the forwards.