Michael Walters was pleased with his team’s progress in their JLT Community Series opener despite Fremantle's 27-point loss to Collingwood at Joondalup Arena on Monday. 

Freo took it up to the 2018 grand finalists, holding a one-goal lead early in the final term before the Magpies stormed home. 

 The key area for Walters was Fremantle’s midfield, which matched the Magpies star-studded line-up that included Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Dayne Beams. 

Backed by veteran David Mundy, Fremantle pushed mostly young and relatively inexperienced players through their midfield, with Andrew Brayshaw (25 disposals) and Darcy Tucker (19 disposals, 13 tackles) impressing.

With captain Nat Fyfe and experienced midfielder Reece Conca out of the line-up, Fremantle won the clearances 41 to 38, contested possessions 168 to 163 and the inside 50s 60 to 46.

“I feel like the boys took a step forward today,” Walters said.

“We played the way we wanted to play, regardless of the scoreboard.

“Collingwood came over with a strong team and I have no doubt they played some good footy, but it was also good for guys like Adam Cerra, (Andrew) Brayshaw, guys like that to come out and see what it’s like to play against the best and I feel like we did that.”

Walters said the rule changes, which includes the new 6-6-6 rule, heightened the importance of the midfield battles.

“The new rule changes gives the mids time to really play against each other,” Walters said.

“We do have a lot of young players, and for them to go up against the grand finalists in Collingwood, we were able to learn off them and even myself - as I haven’t played too much in the midfield in my career.”

Fremantle have six days to recover from Monday's hit-out in hot conditions, facing West Coast at Rushton Park on Sunday.

Walters said that the short break would provide an opportunity to test the players' ability to recover prior to the season starting.

“It was hot today we have a lot of young players, so the leaders and the coaching group have to push them forward and show them the way to go,” Walters said.

"We need to make sure our prep and our recovery is spot on because we have a six-day break with a real tough contest coming up.”