Fremantle's decision to recruit McPhee has been under scrutiny for the former Bomber's form has been lacklustre in the opening four games, averaging just nine possessions.
However, McPhee had his most impressive game for the year in Fremantle’s 39-point win over Richmond on Sunday night and the 27-year-old said he was on the verge of nearing his best.
McPhee returned to the club last year after shoulder surgery and has since suffered three flare-ups with a troublesome ankle and he said criticisms were reactive and premature.
“I always thought it was going to take a bit of time with the slow preparation and the few injuries I’ve had,” McPhee told fremantlefc.com.au after the game.
“But I think I’m slowly getting there and getting used to my teammates and adjusting to the game plan (and) the structures.
“I’d like to be doing better than I am, but I think in time it’s going to come.
“I reckon I’ll probably be playing my best footy in the middle of the year. I’m hoping it’s before then and I’ll certainly be doing everything I can from a training point of view.”
Facing external pressure to hold his spot during Fremantle’s bright start to the season, McPhee, who has a three-year contract, said coach Mark Harvey’s public support for him had been fantastic.
And despite his low possession average, the strong-bodied recruit said he had been contributing as a defensive forward as Fremantle looked to make tackling pressure a trademark of its game.
“Football’s changed and I don’t think it’ all about the stats,” McPhee said.
“If you’re not getting a lot of the ball, there’s only one other thing you can do and that’s defensive pressure.
“I think from a forward’s perspective I have added to that area of the game for the team.”
McPhee is determined to play in the midfield which is the reason he returned to Fremantle after seven seasons and 142 games with Essendon.
An interrupted pre-season has meant the All-Australian couldn’t be used heavily in Fremantle’s onball rotations thus far, but McPhee said he was aiming to break into the midfield group by mid-season.
“I’m still not really happy - I’ve got high expectations of myself. I always have,” he said. “Certainly I’d like to get more of the ball.
“(But) I’m predicting middle of the year I’ll be fully up and running and hopefully playing in the midfield.”
