Ryan Crowley has wished former teammate and good friend Nick Lower all the best in his career after the former Port Adelaide player decided against training with Freo ahead of the pre-season and rookie drafts.

Lower was delisted by Freo at the end of this season, however he was invited to stay and train with the club ahead of December's rookie draft.

But the 25-year-old trained with the Western Bulldogs yesterday and now looks likely to join them.

Crowley said it was always disappointing to lose a mate from the club, but hoped Lower found success wherever he ended up.

"That’s footy. I know as well as anyone the way things can go up and down," he said.

"He’s a great competitor and a hard worker, so hopefully he impresses at the Bulldogs and gets a chance."

Crowley was joined by the majority of Fremantle's squad at pre-season training on Wednesday for a gruelling two-hour session.

Veterans Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands and Luke McPharlin did not train, however, and will take part in two out of every three football sessions this pre-season to keep them "mentally and physically fresh".

Crowley, who revived his career last season and emerged as the AFL's leading shutdown specialist, said he was aiming to build his offensive game this summer.

New assistant coach Brett Kirk shapes as a key mentor for the 28-year-old.

"It was something that he excelled at, that work-on, work-off type mentality," Crowley said of Kirk.

"That's something I think I might try and bring into my game, a bit more offence, and that's something I think he's pretty keen to talk to me about.

"I can't wait to get stuck into it with him."