Six weeks ago, Fremantle midfielder Lachie Neale was battling just to get into the side.
Now, the 20-year-old is shaping as a key figure ahead of the club's finals campaign.
Neale played just two games for Fremantle over the first 16 rounds, with an ankle injury hurting his chances to push for a swift recall once he was dropped.
But the 177cm speedster has given the Dockers vital midfield depth over the past six weeks, averaging 26 possessions to go with his seven goals during that period.
In last week's 74-point win over Port Adelaide, Neale tallied 19 disposals in the first half alone to set up a match-winning 55-point lead by the long break.
The likes of Michael Barlow, David Mundy, Stephen Hill, Nat Fyfe, Danyle Pearce and Ryan Crowley are considered the heart and soul of Fremantle's engine room.
But Neale has added another dimension to the Dockers' running brigade, with his spot in the side now guaranteed heading into the finals.
"He keeps picking himself. It's really pleasing," Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said of Neale, who was a bargain selection with pick No.58 at the 2011 national draft.
"If you work hard, get yourself in good shape and hit good form, (you can) play around and inside what's a very good midfield.
"Hill, Fyfe, Mundy, Barlow, Pearce, de Boer, Crowley - you get an opportunity to win the ball (with those guys around) and he's taken his opportunity.
"He's got continuity and he's heard the messages about improvement and growth, and he's really grown."
The third-placed Dockers are expected to encounter few problems when they round out their regular season against lowly St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
But they will need to rely on Brisbane upsetting Geelong at Simonds Stadium if they are to nab second spot and a home qualifying final.
Fremantle defender Nick Suban could miss the Saints clash with a hamstring injury, but Clancee Pearce (calf), Luke McPharlin (calf) and Aaron Sandilands (fractured cheekbone) are all a chance to return.
The Saints will be aiming to send off retiring trio Stephen Milne, Justin Koschitzke and Jason Blake with a win.
Meanwhile, emerging midfielder Tom Sheridan has re-signed with the Dockers for a further two years, tying him to the club until at least the end of 2015.
The 19-year-old has played eight games this season - including the past four - but faces a battle to hold his spot ahead of the finals.
