A confirmation that Barlow has crucial roles to play in a planned Dockers revival back into finals calculations as early as next year would be an inspirational boost to the playing squad for the remainder of this season, Hasleby says.

The four-times Ross Glendinning medallist for best afield in derbies against West Coast also boldly predicts Fremantle to rebound from a disastrous 2016 to play finals against next season.

Barlow, 28, is out of contract at the end of this season and faces decisions from coach Ross Lyon and his list management team to determine Barlow's future.

Lyon is understood to be conducting a savage assessment of his ageing group with as many as a dozen Dockers facing severe scrutiny to determine whether they stay or go and what value they offer in trading.

Lyon and football boss Chris Bond are scheduled to present their recruitment plans to Dockers board of directors and chief executive Steve Rosich this week.

Dockers management is tipped to trade heavily for draft picks in plans to attract readymade stars to inject playing talent to bolster established stars Nat Fyfe and Aaron Sandilands with their highly anticipated returns from serious injury next season.

The Dockers rebuilding plan is also apparently targeting imported big man stocks, with disgruntled Greater Western Sydney key forward Cam McCarthy a prime recruit.

Barlow has rejuvenated his renowned big possession-winning ways over the past month as a run-with defensive on-baller after the triple Glendinning Medal winner was dumped to WAFL alignment outfit Peel Thunder for a fortnight.

Since his recall Barlow has held Essendon ball-magnet David Zaharakis to just 11 disposals, Brisbane's Daniel Rich 18 and Port Adelaide's All-Australian Robbie Gray to 17 in three straight Dockers wins before probably a more break-even engagement with Collingwood gun Steele Sidebottom in last Friday night's 48-point loss to the Pies in Melbourne.

Hasleby says a commitment to Barlow's future should be made mid-season.

The highly popular midfielder offers more long term value to a Dockers revival than any possible trade he would attract, Hasleby predicts.

"In my opinion they should commit to him," Hasleby said.

"But they have got to believe there is a position there for him.

"If they don't see that he is in their plans and if they don't want that style of player, then they're better off passing him on.

"But from what I have seen and what I think he has shown everybody, that he is a very effective midfielder."

Hasleby says Barlow's most influential roles are around the heavy congestion running on the ball and not predominantly as a half-forward where he played a majority of last season as the Dockers secured a minor premiership with a club record 17 home-and-away wins.

"In the last year and a half he has played out of position which has made it very difficult for him to play at his top level," Hasleby said.

"It's no surprise to me now that he is playing the way that he is.

"He's one of the best ball-winning players in the competition.

"He's got limitations, but he's also smart enough to work within them and that's what he's been doing these last few weeks."

Hasleby expects a rapid recovery next season after a disastrous 2016 as Fremantle crashed from premiership fancies to winning just three games ahead of this weekend's bye across round 15.

"Next year the cavalry arrives with five or six A-grade players coming back into the side to the team that's on the park at the moment and that's very exciting," he said.

"I think they'll bounce back and finals next year."