An emotional Michael Barlow has thanked Fremantle fans for their support since his departure from the Dockers and said there were 17 other teams he would continue his AFL career with - including cross-town rival West Coast.

And the hugely popular 28-year-old also dropped a massive hint about coach Ross Lyon's long-term plans for the embattled club after a disastrous 4-18 season in 2016.

"The whole football world knows the direction Fremantle is going... there's got to be some collateral [damage] along the way," Barlow told Radio 6PR's Breakfast program.

"I'm a 28-year-old who was uncontracted and probably the next one out the door regardless of form, and potential character."