Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says it is too early to get carried away with Cam McCarthy's form despite the forward's six-goal haul in Friday night's 21-point win over Carlton at Domain Stadium.
McCarthy didn't play a single game for the Giants last year after the homesick spearhead moved back to Perth in order to be closer to family.
The 21-year-old was traded to the Dockers in October, and made a quiet start to the pre-season series at his new club.
But McCarthy exploded to life against the Blues, with his six-goal haul including a spectacular checkside major from the pocket.
With Matthew Pavlich now retired, Fremantle are crying out for a spearhead to lead their attack.
Matt Taberner and Michael Apeness have only shown glimpses of talent, with McCarthy looming as the club's great hope.
But Lyon is doing his best to downplay the hype, especially considering some of McCarthy's goals against the Blues were handed to him on a silver platter.
"He got on the end of a few," Lyon said.
"It's pretty hard to do that consistently. That will give you 130 (goals) for the year or something. That would be a pretty big figure considering no one's kicked 100 goals since 2008.
"He won't always play like that, but we know he'll give great effort."
Lyon has been impressed by McCarthy's efforts at training.
"League football is about hard work, and he hasn't missed a session during pre-season," Lyon said.
"He might have had a virus one week, but he still trained. So he's a tough kid who trains and works and is earning respect the right way."
New skipper Nat Fyfe starred against the Blues with 38 disposals and two goals, while Aaron Sandilands dominated in the ruck but it wasn't all good news for the Dockers, who are likely to be without Hayden Ballantyne for a month after the goalsneak injured his left hamstring.
Carlton ended the pre-season series winless after suffering losses to St Kilda (92 points), Melbourne (54 points) and Fremantle but coach Brendon Bolton isn't too worried.
"The pre-season is about preparation, experimenting, and trying new kids," Bolton said.
"The season proper is a new game altogether."
Blues midfielder Patrick Cripps starred against the Dockers with 26 disposals, while former Giants small forward Jarrod Pickett also impressed with three goals.
Key defender Jacob Weitering showed promise as a forward, giving Bolton extra flexibility this season.
"It's all part of his development," Bolton said.
"We'll continue to use him at both ends. We'll keep growing him as a defender, and use him up forward as need be."
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