Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe sees significant competition for a place in Freo’s starting 22 in season 2019, particularly in the midfield and forward line.

Fyfe expects both areas will undergo significant change in 2019 as a result of the club’s Free Agency and NAB AFL Trade Period acquisitions during the off-season.

Fremantle is likely to see star key forwards Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb, as well as experienced midfielders Reece Conca and Travis Colyer, walk into the club’s starting 22 if all players are fit for round one.

And competition is also expected for the vacant role left by midfielder Lachie Neale, who was traded to Brisbane.

Fyfe said Fremantle has a number of players who can step up into the role, including a handful of young players from Freo’s 2017 draft class.

“I think that vacuum will be filled by a number of guys, Connor (Blakely) and Stephen Hill will pinch hit,” Fyfe said.

“Obviously (top five selections) Adam Cerra and Andrew Brayshaw. Tom North is another guy coming through as well and obviously, Bailey Banfield is another guy who wants to evolve from just being a tagger.

“It’s exciting, I think that jostling for sports is open now (to) whoever has the best pre-season, and David Mundy and I can try and mentor and lead them through.”

So crucial was key forward Matt Taberner to Fremantle in 2018 that Fyfe admitted the team had to switch structures following Taberner’s injury in round five.

Now Fremantle has significantly more coverage from any injury to their key forward stocks.

“There’s a bit of a jostle that’s going to happen up there with Matt Taberner, Cam McCarthy…these sorts of guys still capable of playing a really important role, but now Rory Lobb and Jeese Hogan also slot in,” Fyfe said.

“We have an insurance policy (against injury). With Matt Taberner going out last year, it really changed the way we had to play.

“Now we have three or four guys who can fill that role.

“What it looks like for us is that it straightens us up as a midfield, we have targets to kick to, we can build a structure around that.

“I don’t think we’re relying on these (new players) to change the whole dynamic of our footy club but there is cause for optimism.”