A fresh new era has begun at Fremantle under Justin Longmuir, but it’s the same old injury curse that looks set to extend their finals drought for another year.

Eight years of Ross Lyon’s iron-grip reign came to an end last season when the senior coach and chief executive Steve Rosich were sacked on the eve of the final round.

Four consecutive years without finals action convinced the hierarchy that it was time to swing the axe.

Longmuir has promised to introduce a more attacking gameplan in his first season as a senior coach, and he’s encouraging his players to express themselves on the field.

But Fremantle fans who are expecting a rapid rise up the table should brace themselves – 2020 will probably be a tough year.

The Dockers will enter the season with the second-youngest list in the competition.

That in itself isn’t a bad thing, especially considering the high-end quality Fremantle have snared in recent drafts.

But any young side needs a strong core of healthy and in-form senior players – a scenario Fremantle will be lacking due to injuries.

Forward Jesse Hogan – who is coming off his second serious navicular foot injury – is currently on indefinite leave while he concentrates on his mental health.

There’s a chance he may not even play this year.

Star defender Alex Pearce is still on the recovery trail from a broken ankle, and fellow backman Joel Hamling will miss the first half of the campaign with a dislocated ankle.

It means Fremantle will start the season without their two best key defenders and their best forward.

But the carnage doesn’t stop there, with David Mundy (leg fracture), Sam Switkowski (back stress fracture), new recruit Blake Acres (hamstring), and Nathan Wilson (toe) also set to miss the early rounds.

Put simply – Fremantle need a lot to go right in order to make the finals, and there’s already so much that has gone wrong.

Injuries have played a part in the Dockers’ downfall in each of the past three seasons, but Longmuir isn’t about to put up the white flag.

“We haven’t focused once on what is missing or what we can’t do,” Longmuir says.

“We’re focusing on having 18 players on the field executing their role. Who those players are – the player will decide by their actions.

“We haven’t spoken about players missing, injury concerns or expectations.”

The club’s top-end talent is elite – but small in number.

Nat Fyfe won his second Brownlow medal last season, while Michael Walters continues to win matches off his own boot.

But they can’t be relied upon to do all the heavy lifting.

Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra are set to be given significant midfield roles, while Griffin Logue and Brennan Cox will be asked to fill the key defensive posts while Pearce and Hamling are sidelined.

With Aaron Sandilands now retired, Fremantle must hope ruckman Sean Darcy stays fit for the bulk of the season.

The loss of wingmen Brad Hill and Ed Langdon was a blow, but the Dockers have found handy replacements in new recruits James Aish and Acres.

And memorise the name Brett Bewley.

The 24-year-old has been tearing up the track over summer, and appears set to lock down a wing berth.

The arrival of Longmuir has brought a fresh dose of optimism to the club.

Longmuir was highly regarded during his time as an assistant at West Coast and Collingwood, with his ability to relate to his players a massive asset.

Every new coach gets a honeymoon period, and the club’s worrying injury list means Longmuir is probably going to need every second of his this year.