Steven Dodd's brave determination to play through the pain barrier has come at a cost, the tough Fremantle defender now ruled out for up to half of the 2010 AFL season after undergoing major reconstructions on his right shoulder and wrist.

Dodd played all 22 games for the Dockers this year, most of them under duress as the two serious complaints worsened.

The 26-year-old hit the pre-season track on Monday, running a series of laps, but Fremantle sports science manager Jason Weber confirmed Dodd was unlikely to play until round 10 at the earliest.

"His wrist was a similar surgery to what Hayden Ballantyne had last year and, because they take a bone graft out of the hip and place it in the wrist, it does take some time," Weber said.

"Without placing figures on it I would say he would be (back) around 10, somewhere around that, maybe a fraction earlier.

"Because he's got the whole joint out it just slows down his rehab.

"It's a matter of taking time with him to make sure he comes back in a condition where he can contest.

"He played with some significant discomfort through the whole year."

Dodd's absence is a bitter blow to a Dockers outfit which struggled to a 6-16 record last season.

The 98-gamer was used in a variety of roles in defence and also as a run-with player on the ball as Fremantle's injury-toll mounted.

But in a dose of good news for the Dockers, gun midfielder Rhys Palmer (knee), tagger Ryan Crowley (foot) and defender Michael Johnson (ankle) are all on track to return for the start of the season.

Palmer tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in round five but Weber said the 20-year-old had recovered well from the reconstructive surgery.

"He's just starting to re-introduce some repeat speed work so we are very happy with the progress he's made," Weber said.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Casey Scorpions player Alex Silvagni, a nephew of former Carlton great Stephen Silvagni, is training with the Dockers in a bid to be picked up in either the national, pre-season or rookie drafts.

Former North Melbourne midfielder Matt Riggio and ex-Pie Danny Stanley are also trying their luck with the Dockers.

Fremantle were sorely exposed in the contested possession count this year and Weber said this pre-season would focus heavily on that area of the game.

"Yes we did need to up the ante and we did that (last season), but that's only to 2009 standards and since we weren't in the finals we weren't good enough in that year so we've got to lift the game again," he said.

"Contested ball was clearly our biggest failing through the season and that's something (coach) Mark (Harvey) put a massive emphasis on."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP