A pre-season camp, a hard-working off season and the close bond of a new-look Fremantle team has given goal-sneak Brandon Matera a new lease in 2019.

The revamped Fremantle squad has seen 32 players added to its list over the past three seasons, with Jesse Hogan, Rory Lobb, Reece Conca and Travis Colyer among the most recent additions.

Matera credits Fremantle’s pre-season training camp on the Gold Coast last December as a catalyst for the group’s closeness 

“I think the main focus of Gold Coast was to bring everyone together and it’s definitely worked,” Matera said.

“We really knuckled in to the game-plan and the connection of the group 

“Boys are hanging out together on days off away from the club, and it’s great having that gel between each other.

“When you walk down the race you can trust the bloke next to you and you know what he is going to bring.”

Matera is enjoying a strong start to 2019, kicking 12 goals from four games so far this season.

He attributes his early form to a strong pre-season, the quick connection of a new forward line, and a bit of luck.

Matera also praised the early impact Jesse Hogan has had at the club, in particular his advice in the forward 50.

“Jesse always says to me ‘keep turning up, keep being there and it will fall your way’,” Matera said.

“It does get fatiguing and you can get side-tracked…so little comments like that from Jesse actually keeps you in the game.”

Matera and Hogan are just two parts of a new look forward line that includes Cam McCarthy, Matt Taberner, Michael Walters and Colyer.

The revamped front half has found form early, kicking a total of 61 goals across Fremantle’s four wins this season.

“It’s a new-look forward line, and we have only really had this pre-season to work together,” Matera said.

“Our connection the last four weeks has really come on more than it ever has.

“It’s great to be able to trust the talls to bring the ball to ground and for them to trust us to apply the pressure.”

Matera hopes the tight bond of the group will continue to breed success over the coming season.

“When you are enjoying yourself, I feel like you play at your best,” Matera said.

“The group is a lot closer and I think you can see that in our footy.”