A tough finish to 2017 shouldn’t overshadow the advancement of Fremantle’s younger players, according to captain Nat Fyfe. 

Fremantle focused on giving game time to the youth on their list, including new draftees Griffin Logue Sean Darcy, Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan.

After doubling Freo’s win tally to eight in 2017 from four in 2016, Fyfe said he was pleased to see an overall progression.

“It was a bit of a rollercoaster with the early wins, and then some late, terrible losses, but as a whole, I think we have definitely moved forward,” Fyfe said.

“The stats around the young guys that are playing, 14 (first to third year) players with a total of more than 160 games, means that we've got some education into some players, and that will really help us long term.”

Fyfe highlighted a number of young players that have impressed in 2017.

“I think Luke Ryan, Griffin Logue, Brennan Cox, Sean Darcy, in particular, have shown they're going to be long-term players for our club,” Fyfe said. 

“And Darcy Tucker's just signed on, joining Lachie Weller, Connor Blakely, Ed Langdon, guys like that.

“We've got a whole range of guys between the 18-24 age bracket who are going to stick with the club for the next four or five years and build that continuity for what you need to be a top-four team.”

Fremantle rounded out the season with a competitive 15-point loss to Essendon but the 2015 Brownlow Medallist said his teammates aren't content to settle for second best.

“We don't want to be a team that's gallant in close losses,” Fyfe said.

“But the spirit in which we played, we played an energetic brand of footy.

“We came and competed and tackled quite well. Took the game on. And I think for everyone watching would have been pleased with the brand of footy we played, and that's what we want to do going forward.”