Lachie Neale doesn't expect miracles from Andrew Brayshaw but the Fremantle star believes his new housemate's competitive edge will make him a valuable cog in the Freo midfield.  

Brayshaw, last year's No.2 pick in the NAB AFL Draft, and rookie bolter Bailey Banfield are in line to debut when Freo travel to face Port Adelaide in their season opener.  

Both youngsters impressed, particularly with their defensive efforts, during the JLT Community Series and Neale tipped Brayshaw to bring extra hardness to Freo's engine room in his first season.  

"He's been fantastic throughout, a really dedicated, hard-working kid," Neale said.  

"I think you saw throughout the pre-season competition what he brings, just hardness around the ball, puts his head over it, loves a tackle and he'll bring his absolute best every week.  

"We don't expect miracles, but the way he's held himself throughout the pre-season has been fantastic.  

"If he can bring that effort week-in, week-out he'll be a really solid contributor for us."  

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Fremantle are still hopeful reigning club champion Bradley Hill will recover from a quad strain in time to board the plane to Adelaide. His brother Stephen has been ruled out but Neale backed Freo's talented engine room, led by resurgent big man Aaron Sandilands and Nat Fyfe, to hold their own against the Power's star-studded midfield.  

"They've got a lot of depth through the midfield. It's going to be a tough challenge, but I feel like we've got the midfield to match it," Neale said.  

"I'm looking forward to going head-to-head with them, it will be a great battle."  

Sandilands' fitness could have a huge say on Freo's fortunes this year, with the 35-year-old still arguably the club's most important player.  

Hamstring issues limited him to just 10 games last year but the 211cm veteran has given Freo's midfielders first use throughout pre-season matches.  

"It's fantastic (he's back). I think he's one of the best, if not the best, ruckman going around when he's up and about," Neale said.  

"It helps us midfielders be a little bit more proactive."  

The rebuilding Dockers are taking an 'anything's possible' mantra into 2018 and want to become tougher to play against this year.  

Fremantle lost at Adelaide Oval twice last season by a combined 189 points but is aiming to take it up to Port with a high-pressure brand and get off to a positive start.    

"I think it's important. You see Richmond, they went 5-0, didn't they, to start the season last year," Neale said.  

"Previously when we've been up-and-about early on we've had a really good start through that patch of 2013-15.  

"It's important to get wins early and hopefully we can do that."  

Young gun Adam Cerra pushed his case for a round one debut after booting two goals from 18 touches for Peel on Saturday, while Tom North was outstanding with 31 disposals, eight clearances, seven tackles and a goal.  

But speedy rookie Stefan Giro's hopes of an early-season debut have been dashed by a grade two medial strain which will sideline him for 4-6 weeks.