FREMANTLE's mature-age recruit Sam Collins could provide some intelligence on how to beat Hawthorn given his vast experience playing for Box Hill in the past three seasons.

Collins, 21, has been a pivotal member of Hawthorn's VFL side Box Hill in the past three seasons. He has been a member of Box Hill's leadership group and has played in two VFL Grand Finals.

The 194cm, 92kg key defender was recruited by Fremantle with pick No.55 in the NAB AFL Draft on Tuesday. He looms as a readymade option after the retirement of Luke McPharlin.

Collins said his experiences at Box Hill, on the fringes of the Hawthorn program, have given him an excellent grounding as he begins his AFL career with Fremantle.

"I've got a pretty good understanding of the way their defensive structure works," Collins said.

"Obviously that backline at Box Hill is full of AFL players who know the game-plan really well, so the backline in particular is downpat with the way Hawthorn play.

"I think that's going to hopefully help me coming here. I'm sure Fremantle have a slightly different style of play."

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon spoke at the Dockers' fairest and best night last month about the club's desire to improve and try to overcome the all-conquering Hawks.

The Dockers have added Hawthorn premiership players David Hale and Brent Guerra to their coaching staff during the off-season.

Collins has played with Hale at Box Hill and said he was looking forward to working with the three-time premiership ruckman at Fremantle.

Dockers' list manager Brad Lloyd said Collins would add significant depth to Fremantle's defence.

"He's a ferocious competitor, hates losing a contest," Lloyd said.

"He's also highly intelligent with the way he goes about his footy and he's got some strong running ability."

The Dockers are now flush with depth in defence despite the retirements of McPharlin and Paul Duffield. They had their challenges with injury and suspension to key defenders last season but Zac Dawson, Alex Silvagni, Alex Pearce and Tanner Smith are already established at the club and Michael Johnson played as the second key defender at times.

The Dockers don't have as much depth up forward and Collins said he had played forward at VFL level.

"I went forward in the (VFL) Grand Final this year and last year I played about eight games forward and pinch-hitting in the ruck," Collins said.

"So I've played a bit forward and really enjoy it up there as well."