Fremantle's trade period looks set to deliver immediate results, with midfield recruits Blake Acres and James Aish starring in Saturday's Marsh Community Series win against Carlton.
The pair provided an injection of composure and toughness at David Grays Arena, playing leading midfield roles as Fremantle won 13.12 (90) to 5.13 (43).
Former Collingwood midfielder Aish was a regular in the centre square and had a brilliant first half, finishing with 24 possessions and six clearances and moving to half-back in the fourth quarter.
Acres, who crossed from St Kilda as part of the Bradley Hill trade, also rotated between wing and inside midfield roles, providing more proof of his excellent pre-season and racking up a team-high 31 possessions, six clearances and six inside 50s.
With stars Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters missing from the engine room and watching from the stands, the duo stepped up and led a young midfield that benefited from solid performances from Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra.
Draftee Caleb Serong continued his charge for a round one debut, overcoming a quiet start to showcase his combination of toughness and skill in the midfield, winning seven possessions and four clearances in the third quarter.
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There were positives all over the field for Fremantle, who unveiled a new game style under coach Justin Longmuir, using the ball with purpose and taking 106 uncontested marks to Carlton's 58.
Tall forward Rory Lobb appears primed for a strong season and motored home to be one of Freo's best, controlling the air with 13 marks (five contested) and racking up 23 possessions and six inside 50s.
He led the ruck in the second half after No.1 big man Sean Darcy was put on ice, and kicked a late goal.
Defender Griffin Logue was the beacon in defence, standing up in the absence of injured duo Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling and pairing with former tall forward Brennan Cox.
While beaten convincingly, Carlton was able to put minutes into returning co-captain Sam Docherty, who had 19 possessions and 10 rebounds in his first match after back-to-back knee reconstructions.
Recruit Jack Martin was also unveiled, playing one half for nine possessions and a goal, with forward/ruckman Tom De Koning providing excitement with a nice snap in the second quarter.
With star midfielder Patrick Cripps missing, sidekick Sam Walsh (28 and five clearances) stepped up to lead the young onballers and was the Blues' best contributor, while Zac Fisher (27 and four) showed he will continue his steep rise.
FREMANTLE 3.3 6.7 8.8 13.12 (90)
CARLTON 1.2 3.4 5.7 5.13 (43)
GOALS
Fremantle: Schultz 4, Banfield 2, Lobb, Aish, Cerra, McCarthy, Sturt, Dixon, Colyer
Carlton: E.Curnow, Martin, Casboult, Lang, De Koning
BEST
Fremantle: Lobb, Aish, Acres, Schultz, Logue, Ryan, Brayshaw
Carlton: Walsh, Fisher, Simpson, Martin, Gibbons, Docherty
INJURIES
Fremantle: TBC
Carlton: TBC
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Foot, Stevic, Meredith, Johanson
Official crowd: 5,127 at David Grays Arena
