Dockers defender on the mend
All-Australian defender Michael Johnson has recovered well from back surgery and will be ready to hit the training track for the start of pre-season.
The reliable back man was a massive loss for Fremantle on the eve of this year's finals series after being forced to undergo an untimely operation on his back.
He had battled soreness for several weeks before succumbing to the debilitating injury against Port Adelaide in the final round of the home-and-away season.
The Dockers bowed out of finals in straight sets with losses to Sydney and the Power in Johnson's absence. The club's make- shift defence also missed veteran Luke McPharlin.
Johnson had surgery on September 3 to repair a ruptured disc in his lower back.
_The Weekend West _understands he is now pain free seven weeks on from the operation.
Recovery from back injuries for AFL players can be notoriously difficult to judge.
However, Johnson is believed to be confident of a return to full training when Fremantle's pre-season for the club's players with five or more years' experience starts on December 1.
Garrick Ibbotson and Max Duffy are likely to have delayed starts after shoulder surgery.
Johnson, a 2013 All-Australian, remains critical to Fremantle's premiership hopes in 2015 as the club reloads for another flag tilt at a time when McPharlin, Matthew Pavlich and Aaron Sandilands are in the twilight of their careers.
Like those three veterans, Johnson is contracted only until the end of next season.
The defender turned 30 on Monday and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of 2015, meaning he will be free to pursue offers from rival clubs.
Johnson is likely to delay contract negotiations until well into next season to best judge his future prospects.
