AFTER a mass exodus of Fremantle leaders last season, caretaker captain Michael Johnson says it is time for the club's next tier of players to step up.

Peter Bell, Shaun McManus and Josh and Matthew Carr headlined the leadership losses at the end of 2008, while established players Jeff Farmer and Heath Black also called time on their careers.

Johnson said the players who have been at Fremantle for five to six years and played more than 50 games needed to start chipping in and showing they can lead the side.

"The next tier of players has to step up this year," Johnson said on Monday.

"David Mundy, myself – guys that have been around for five or six years. The coaching staff and the club are expecting those guys to step up this year.

"We have got to step up and show that [we've] got leadership qualities to lead the side and win the game each week.

"We can't rely on players like Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands and Luke McPharlin each week to go out and win us the game. It's time for everyone else to chip in – hopefully it's this year and we can move forward as a playing group."

Johnson said since losing so many leaders, and replacing them with first year players, he was joined by plenty of teammates volunteering for leadership roles.

Outside of Fremantle's leadership group there are 13 players with more than 50 games experience – including Ryan Crowley, Steven Dodd, Brett Peake, Byron Schammer and Scott Thornton.

Johnson said that was the generation of players that needed to take the reins and drive Fremantle up the ladder this season.

"The players have addressed it in our leadership meetings, there's a fair few of us that have put our hands up for making the leadership group," he said.

"[The players that retired] were a lot older than us with a lot more experience. But it's been fantastic around the club. The boys have noticed it, but we want to step up and everyone's just got to chip in these days.

"It's been great with the guys putting their hands up and taking training drills, things like that. We will miss them, but it's time for the younger guys to take control."

After finishing runner-up in Fremantle's best and fairest in 2006, Johnson said he had been disappointed with his output the last two seasons.

"I've spoken to the coaches about it and I have a different role than that year," he said. 
 
"I've been around the club five or six years so I've got to step it up again and hopefully improve this year."

Dream Team watch: Michael Johnson scored 43 points against Richmond in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.