A long-time teammate of Nat Fyfe says Fremantle will need the two-time Brownlow medallist’s cool head in the big moments on their run to the finals.
Fyfe was not named in the Dockers’ team to take on Carlton at Optus Stadium on Sunday and will instead return from his latest injury setback in Peel Thunder’s clash with Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium on Saturday.
The 33-year-old injured his calf during a half-time warm-up during his team’s round 17 win over St Kilda.
Justin Longmuir could take an unchanged side into the match against the under-fire Blues, with no omissions named in the Dockers’ preliminary squad on Thursday afternoon.
The Dockers continue to take a cautious approach with captain Alex Pearce, but say the full-back is on track to overcome his shin injury in time to play Port Adelaide next Saturday night.
Fyfe injured his hamstring early in his first WAFL appearance of the season, against South Fremantle in round two. Fremantle threw him in at the deep end the next time they needed to return him to the side, by bringing him straight back in as the substitute.
He will return on managed minutes against Claremont.
The cautious approach this time around comes with the club on track to play finals for just the second time since 2015.
Michael Walters’ retirement leaves Fyfe as the last remaining player from the Dockers’ only grand final appearance in 2013. Former Fremantle defender Ethan Hughes said the club’s young players will lean on the veteran’s finals experience late in the season.
“I feel like they would rather have him coming in for the last couple of weeks, just to try and get some match fitness into him first,” Hughes told The West Australian.
“That element of him having played a lot of football and some finals football in the past is really going to help that side grow.
“Even just his leadership and voice coming from the bench or just assisting guys getting set up in the high-pressure moments, I think that’s really going to help the group.”
Defender Brandon Walker is one of three potential inclusions and could play just his third game of the season and first since he suffered a serious shoulder injury against Sydney in round two.
In-and-out backman Josh Draper has also been added to the extended bench, alongside midfielder Will Brodie, who has been in the football wilderness since early 2023.
Former Fremantle player Adam Cerra will not face his old club. He has knee soreness and will sit out, alongside key forward Charlie Curnow — who will have surgery for a knee injury — and retired club great Sam Docherty.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/fremantle-dockers/former-fremantle-dockers-teammate-says-young-players-will-lean-on-experience-of-nat-fyfe-at-end-of-season-c-19537402
