The Nat Fyfe forward experiment is officially over.
In an attempt to return the dual Brownlow Medallist to his best, Fremantle will in 2024 allow Fyfe back into the midfield mix as a pure on-baller, a role he revolutionised with his bigger frame.
The 32-year-old, who has only managed 16 AFL appearances in the last two seasons, had been pushed ahead of the ball following the flourishment of Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong in recent years.
But Fyfe has never kicked more than 24 goals in a season and he’ll fit back in alongside the younger midfield duo in 2024. According to Dockers footy boss Joe Brierty, Fyfe is ready to make his mark once again.
“I won’t put a number on how many games he’ll play, he’s obviously had a few frustrating years in recent times,” Brierty told SEN Afternoons.
“All I can say is he’s had a really, really good pre-season. He’s probably had his greatest availability across the pre-season in terms of load he’s done and the footy he’s engaging with and his body feels really good.
“I think when we talk about these older players and how they feel in their own body and own mind, I spoke to Nat this morning and he’s feeling great.
“Really excited about getting in and being available for a few decent hitouts across the pre-season. Obviously we’ve refocused his role to be solely focused on midfield minutes, at times he’ll drift forward.
“I think for him, that gives him the upmost clarity and where he can focus his time, we know he’s a contested beat and a big body and he’s also educating that younger group through the midfield, which I think he’s really enjoying.”
When asked to confirm Fyfe’s position, Brierty replied: “He’s a midfielder. I think he’s pretty excited about that.”
Fyfe will play full minutes in a intraclub match on Friday.
Meanwhile, Justin Longmuir’s Fremantle coaching career hangs in the balance after a down year for the Dockers in 2023. Expected to feature well into September, Fremantle missed the finals and the same result in 2024 is unlikely to see Longmuir keep his job.
Inconsistency plagued the Dockers in a 10-win season last year, but Brierty says the club had taken measures to address that issue going forward.
“Getting games into a lot of those younger players is going to be really important, I think any consistent team across the year needs a weight of numbers across the field and really have a really strong 18 contributing week in and week out,” he added.
“From our perspective, that’s what we’ve really focused on… we’ve got a focus on the contest, controlling the ball in the forward half, speed of the game and taking the risks… when they’re there.
“We’ve got a young and exciting group we think can have an impact and I think that will be a key for us looking at a consistent year, making sure our availability across the board and a consistent number of contributors.”
The Dockers will have their first public hitout on February 24 when taking on the West Coast Eagles in match simulation.