Adam McPhee has set his sights on a leadership role at Fremantle and has urged Dockers fans not to read anything into his poor form during the AFL pre-season.

McPhee returned to Fremantle at the end of last year after seven seasons at Essendon, where he won the club's best and fairest award and All-Australian honours in 2004.

But the 27-year-old, who underwent shoulder surgery over the summer, admits he has failed to fire during the pre-season, with his fumbling efforts resulting in numerous turnovers.

"It's probably not the best form going into round one but to be honest I can't remember playing a great NAB Cup game in my whole 10-year career," McPhee said.

"I'm looking forward to round one.

"The preparation going into this year is probably not what I exactly wanted but I'm not concerned about that.

"I've just got to look forward, use my experience and go into round one confident that I can get over the line and that my 10 years of AFL experience is going to get me through.

"You always like to be playing well and that's what you strive to do but sometimes you go through periods where you're not playing your best football and you have to try to find the answers ... to make sure it comes back as quick as possible."

McPhee, who left Fremantle as a 20-year-old but returns as the eighth oldest player on the senior list, said he would jump at the chance if offered an official leadership role at the club.

"Yeah definitely I would," he said.

"I had a leadership role at Essendon and really enjoyed that, really enjoy helping the young guys out and really like to voice my opinion if it helps in any way.

"I like to have control in where the team's going."

McPhee felt he was still capable of playing a vital role in Fremantle's midfield but conceded he would most likely work his way back into form via the backline.

"It will be best to adjust back to playing half-back, settle into a role and generate some positivity in my game and confidence," he said.

"I think that's where I've played my best football. I understand that role really well.

"And once I've got that then it would probably allow me to move up the ground and settle in and move in with the next midfielding group."

McPhee is optimistic about what Fremantle can achieve in 2010 despite most pundits already writing off the club's finals chances.

"It's certainly a very exciting group and a group that could possibly do anything," he said.

"That's the reason why I came back, I saw the excitement in the side, saw the mix between experience and youth and really thought that going forward with a few more games under the belts of the likes of the Subans and Hills that this team can really go forward.

"If it's not this year, then in the years to come they'll be an exciting team to watch and hopefully have sustained success."

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