Former AFL coach Terry Wallace says Fremantle’s lack of class key-position players will stop the club turning their fortunes around after two horror years.

The Dockers have only managed to recruit “second and third-tier forwards” Cam McCarthy and Shane Kersten to replace retired champion and games-record holder Matthew Pavlich, Wallace said.

They club has made unsuccessful plays for Lance Franklin, Jesse Hogan, Travis Cloke, Cale Hooker and Mitch Clark in previous years, and more recently WA-bred Crows forward Mitch McGovern.

And while plenty of exciting young talls - namely Brennan Cox, Griffin Logue, Luke Ryan and Sean Darcy - were blooded in 2017, Wallace felt Freo hadn’t got over the loss of Pavlich.

“They’re very reliant on some of their younger players stepping up and making the grade,” Wallace told Trade Radio.

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

“They are some of the key-position type players... Cam McCarthy, Alex Pearce who’s had the injury problem, Griffin Logue, Brennan Cox, Sean Darcy who made up some really good ground in the ruck.

Play Video The Dockers have already been linked with several big moves. The West Australian Video The Dockers have already been linked with several big moves.

“Generally these guys are going OK but they’re all very young, and they’re not backed up by class key-position players around them.

“I’m not suggesting they shouldn’t have brought (McCarthy and Kersten) into their footy club, but I don’t know whether they’re going to be the pillars.

“I see them as second and third-tier forwards, not the key power forward that’s actually going to turn their fortunes around.

“They haven’t replaced Pavlich and that’s the reality of it.”

The former Richmond and Western Bulldogs coach said the footy industry had “lost trust” in the Dockers after finishing 16th and 14th in the past two seasons.

Fremantle look set to lure WA products Nathan Wilson (GWS Giants) and Brandon Matera (Gold Coast) home, which would be a “thumbs up” for Wallace.

There will be significant list changes at the club, with the future unclear for out-of-contract players Matt Taberner, Hayden Crozier, Tom Sheridan, Nick Suban, Zac Clarke and Jon Griffin. Veterans Zac Dawson and Garrick Ibbotson have retired.

“I’ve got a feeling they’re going to go past most of those guys,” Wallace said.

“If they’re going to bring on that group of Logue and Cox and those sort of guys, they’ve got to go past a few of them.

“One thing I’ll say about that is it gives them scope for change.”