Finally, Fremantle can put its topsy-turvy season to bed and start planning for 2018 and beyond.

Setting aside the thrashings Ross Lyon and his men have endured, there is undoubtedly some cause for optimism.

Joel Hamling, Griffin Logue, Luke Ryan, Brennan Cox and Ethan Hughes have the tools to form a cohesive back line. So too does does Alex Pearce, who sat out 2017 with a broken leg.

Lachie Weller is carving his niche as a line-breaking defender while Connor Blakely – once maligned for his ball use – has improved his kicking to the point where he was deployed as one the Dockers’ major distributors off half back.

Sean Darcy’s impact as a first-year ruckman can’t be understated either, and he’s only going to improve with time as he builds his fitness base and hones his craft under Aaron Sandilands.

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But Lyon has flagged another list cull and there are gaping deficiencies through the midfield and forward line that desperately need to be addressed during the off-season.

Fremantle Recruiting Manager Brad Lloyd recently confirmed the club would again target young Western Australians – a strategy that paid dividends last year when Hamling, Brad Hill, Cam McCarthy and Shane Kersten were lured back to their home state.

Fremantle missed out on the services of key target Mitch McGovern, who re-signed with Adelaide this afternoon for a fresh three-year deal. So who’s left?

Based on Lloyd’s criteria, here’s who could be on the Dockers’ radar when the AFL trade period kicks off on October 9.

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Brandon Matera

Contractual status: Out of contract

Age at the start of next season: 26

Knows where the goals are, has good foot skills and looks set to leave the Suns. Reportedly weighing up interest from the Dockers and several Victorian clubs. Made his name as a crumbing forward but has shown the ability to play through the middle. Could work well in tandem with Hayden Ballantyne as Michael Walters spends more time in the engine room.

Brendon Ah Chee

Contractual status: Out of contract

Age at the start of next season: 24

Starved of opportunity in a Port Adelaide side jam-packed with pacey half-forwards. Has notched 27 games for 17 goals over six seasons playing forward with stints through the middle. Boasts a blistering turn of pace and has a knack for the mercurial. Likely to attract some rival interest if he chooses not to sign on, but shouldn’t come with a hefty price-tag.

Aliir Aliir

Camera Icon Aliir Aliir has struggled to get back into Sydney’s line-up. Credit: Getty Images

Contractual status: Signed until the end of 2018

Age at the start of next season: 23

Hasn’t been able to win his spot back from Lewis Melican after he was dropped early in the year for a disciplinary mishap. An exciting rebounding tall defender with excellent speed, balance and composure. Plays in a similar fashion to Michael Johnson. Remains a required player with Heath Grundy in the twilight of his career, and would come at a significant cost.

Blake Acres

Contractual status: Signed until the end of 2018

Age at the start of next season: 22

Rated highly by St Kilda as he develops into a hybrid big-bodied midfielder with the ability to win his own ball and spread from the contest. Still spends some time across half-forward but should end up in the engine room. Would be hard to prise out this year but should be monitored if talks are slow to progress throughout 2018.

Alex Fasolo

Contractual status: Signed until the end of 2018

Age at the start of next season: 25

A crucial cog in Collingwood’s attacking set up. Has sticky hands, knows where to run and loves the big stage. Give his taste for the limelight, it’s hard to see the medium forward leaving one of the country’s biggest clubs. That said, if Fremantle can fill out the new Perth Stadium semi-frequently, who knows what might transpire. Like Acres, he’s worth keeping tabs on.

WOULDN’T IT BE NICE...

Jesse Hogan

Contractual status: Signed until of 2019

Age at the start of next year: 23

A dream scenario for the club and fans that is extremely unlikely to eventuate. Close to Melbourne’s most important player on-field and off, it would take either a gargantuan offer - the kind Fremantle has, to date, been able to manoeuvre - or harrowing personal circumstances for the Dees to let him go.

Jeremy McGovern

Contractual status: Becomes a restricted free agent at the end of 2018

Age at the start of next year: 25

Rumours are swirling the brothers want to play together for the club their dad represented, but cross-town moves rarely eventuate. Best play would be to make him an offer the Eagles would find difficult to match. West Coast building a war chest to keep him on board.

Rory Lobb

Contractual status: Signed until the end of 2019

Age at the start of next year: 25

Was linked to Fremantle throughout 2016 but poured cold water on the prospect of returning to his home state by extending his stay at the Giants. Fits the Dockers bill perfectly as an athletically gifted ruck/forward and contested marking beast. However, he's happy in Sydney and loves being part of the tight-knit Giants playing group.