FORMER Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley says he was completely blindsided and "shocked" by his delisting from the Dockers.

Crowley was given the chop less than two weeks ago after serving a 12-month suspension for taking a prohibited substance late in the 2014 season.

Despite missing the club's best and fairest – something he wishes he hadn't in hindsight - the 31-year-old said he still loved the Dockers.

But speaking for the first time since his axing on Saturday morning, Crowley said the nature of his dismissal had left a sour taste.

"I felt a bit like the deer in the headlights," Crowley said on Perth radio station 6PR.

"They said 'look mate, we're not looking to go with you next year, we're looking to go in a different direction'.

"I respect that, I might not agree with it, but I respect that.

"I just wouldn't have minded a bit of warning beforehand. I haven't missed a training session all year, so they've had plenty of time to come up and have a chat I felt. I was a bit disappointed with that."

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Crowley said there was "plenty of time" during his suspension to give him an indication of his future.

"Maybe I was a bit naïve," he said.

"It is a unique circumstance having that 12 months off.

"I was pretty shocked from the meeting and was obviously really disappointed. It was a tough day."

Crowley said he was still keen to play on, and with 188 games experience felt he had at least two years of good football left.

"The interchange cap coming in next year, that suits the way I play, having a really good aerobic capacity," he said.

"Having that year off, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, but it could be a blessing in disguise.

"I hadn't missed a game for four or five years and that constant grind had taken its toll, whereas I've had a year off and feel like I'm 25 again.

"I'm hungry and I've got a point to prove."