Being up and going by day one of pre-season is the aim for Fremantle key defender Michael Johnson.

Johnson, who has played 209 games for the club, seriously injured his right hamstring and tore the medial ligament in his right knee in Freo’s loss to Carlton in round five this year.

Speaking before last Saturday’s Doig Medal event at Crown Perth, Johnson said he was disappointed not to play the final few games of 2016.

“We were on good timing at the end of the year, then something else popped up with my Achilles so I missed the last few games of the year, which I was planning to play,” he said.

Hill headed to Freo

The 31-year-old, who will form a key component of Fremantle’s defensive unit in 2017, underwent further surgery on both legs in post-season.

“I’ve gone in, I’ve had surgery on both Achilles and I haven’t started running yet, but I have a program,” he said.

“The planning is to be ready to go for day one of pre-season, so I will be doing everything I can between now and then.”

Johnson, who has been on holiday to Bali with Michael Walters and his family, as well as caravanning in Coral Bay, is focused on season 2017.

“I’m feeling good in myself so hopefully, come day on of pre-season, I’m ready to go for it,” he said.