FREMANTLE recruit Colin Sylvia has been placed on a managed workload since arriving at the club as the Dockers' fitness staff get him acclimatised to the strength and conditioning program.

Dockers forward Hayden Ballantyne believes Sylvia is a great acquisition to the club but said the 28-year-old had been training away from the main group in the first half of the pre-season.

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"Col's been doing a bit of his own work one-on-one with a few of the coaches," Ballantyne said.

"He hasn’t trained too much with us. He’s working through some fitness stuff with the coaches. But obviously he’s a very skilled player and he’ll contribute really well for us."

Speaking at Fremantle's golf day, Ballantyne said the pre-season had been a tough slog in the Perth heat but the players had thrived in the demanding conditions.

"The boys have come back in ripping nick and all pretty much reached our targets as far as 3km time trials go and skinfolds, so the boys are looking good," Ballantyne said.

"Matt de Boer has really improved his 3km time trial. He’s a real workhorse around the club and he’s dragging everyone else along with him, so it’s great leadership from him."