Fremantle forward Hayden Ballantyne has revealed the upcoming pre-season will be a crucial time for a developing Freo side.

Speaking to Michael Thomson on Channel 9 News on Wednesday the 30-year-old said the side was under no illusion about the hard work ahead.

“It’s going to take time for the new guys to really learn what it takes to be a great AFL side and a great AFL players,” Ballantyne said.

“We’d love to be at the other end of the ladder. Unfortunately, that’s not to be this year but we’ll work towards that next year.

“A big pre-season’s coming up for us after this week’s game.”

After back-to-back loses, Ballantyne puts the team’s form down to the lack of experience in the young side.

“Getting another pre-season into those guys legs and getting some games into them will be a big plus for us,” Ballantyne said.

“Other teams are running off our forwards and kicking goals, so we need a bit more bounce off the backline.

“If our backs can do that and our forwards can stop other team’s defenders doing it. 

“We’ve got a long way for us to improve as a team.”