Fremantle urged to act on ‘sad' Nat Fyfe situation
Fyfe, who had spent the previous two games as the sub, earned a rare start against Essendon but managed just 11 disposals and one clearance before being subbed out in the final quarter.
The 33-year-old spent periods stationed in attack to help fill the void left by Sam Switkowski (hamstring), but looked a shadow of the contested beast that won two Brownlow Medals across a glittering career.
The young Dockers are surging up the ladder on the back of a five-game winning streak, but questions are being asked whether Fyfe is in their best team.
Led brilliantly by Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong in the midfield, plus support from a host of other players, there doesn't appear any room for Fyfe.
Channel 7 commentator Kane Cornes cast doubt about the future of the modern-day great, who comes out of contract at the end of the season.
In his limited game time this year, Fyfe has had just eight kicks and 19 handballs, which is the lowest kick-to-handball ratio of his career.
'There's a big decision for Fremantle. In fact, I don't think it is that big a decision,' Cornes said on The Agenda Setters.
'It was sad watching Nat Fyfe on Thursday night. He started as a forward, his first full game in a while. His kick-to-handball ratio is high because he doesn't trust his kicking and his kicking has absolutely deserted him.
'So champion of the game ... shouldn't have been given the two-year contract extension some time ago. We said that at the time and now I think they sit him down. If not today, it's got to be this week and just say, 'look, Nat, this group is young, it's dynamic, and unfortunately the role that you play, others have gone past you'.
'(Corey) Wagner's gone past you inside. Serong and Brayshaw, we know about. Hayden Young's going to come back.
'And performances like this don't do, I guess, his finish to an outstanding Hall of Fame-worthy career any justice.'
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir was happy with Fyfe's performance against Essendon when asked about it post-match.
'I thought he ran some really good patterns,' Longmuir said.
'I was really happy with the way he approached the role. I thought some of his physicality through the middle of the ground was great.'
Fyfe has played 243 games across his 16 years in the AFL and will go down as one of the greatest players in the modern era.
The Dockers host St Kilda at Optus Stadium on Sunday and a win will see them draw level on points with third-placed Geelong.
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Sydney Morning Herald
8 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘If I did I'd probably get sacked': Bombers young gun Caddy on the risk behind that stunning goal
Everyone has seen Nate Caddy's goal against the Brisbane Lions in round 12 – an outrageous over-the-head kick that will take some beating for the AFL goal of the year award. But it was a moment against Sydney three rounds earlier that illustrated the teenage star's true value to Essendon. The excitement around the athletic key forward grows by the week and spots on the Caddy bandwagon are fast running out. That goal against the Lions was an instinctive moment, but it also allowed the Bombers to level the scores against the reigning premiers at the Gabba. That game was a season-best performance for Essendon that ended in defeat, but it was also a breakout game for the 193-centimetre Caddy, who was drafted to Tullamarine from Melbourne's nearby northern suburbs less than two years ago and just weeks ago put pen to paper on a two-year extension. Against the Swans, Caddy's gut-running was on full display in an eye-catching team goal by the Bombers – kicked by Caddy himself – after he first gathered the ball across half-back, before the Sherrin finished in his hands in the goal square. The passage of play stemmed from a facet of Caddy's game that he'd made a priority ahead of this season: improving his tank and making it one of his weapons. 'I think a real target point for me [this year] was being an elite runner,' Caddy told this masthead. The numbers show that he runs up to 15 kilometres per game. Caddy points out that in Essendon's most recent game – a loss to Fremantle at Optus Stadium in which the Bomber took another great hanger – he played every minute. 'I kind of come into the games [now] thinking that I can beat people for speed,' says Caddy. 'I try to think as a [personal motivation for me] that no one can stop me. 'That's how I think I can impact the game.' And Caddy's ability to impact games is why the plaudits are coming thick and fast. Comparisons with Geelong's aerobic dynamo and goal-kicking champion Jeremy Cameron are common. Kane Cornes says Caddy will be vying with Bulldogs phenom Sam Darcy for best-player-in-the-AFL status in five years, while Essendon legend James Hird poured out the superlatives as he dissected the passage of play involving Caddy against Sydney at Marvel Stadium. 'Watch him keep running to get himself into [the] play, and get in the goal square,' observed Hird on Nine's Footy Furnace. 'That's the work rate and the work ethic that gets you to be a star in the competition.' 'Winning the ball at half-back, running all the way down and getting a goal [near] the goal-line – that is elite running.' Ahead of his 25th game in the top flight, Caddy – who played junior footy with fellow Bomber Isaac Kako – is a focus of hope for long-suffering Essendon fans. Caddy told this masthead that he sees his long-term AFL future at Tullamarine. But he's also convinced that a two-year top-up to his initial deal, locking him in at Essendon until 2028, was the right call. 'I really liked my time at Essendon the last two years,' he said. 'To sort of go around and sign for another two more, [taking] me to the end of my fifth year, I'm really excited for what Essendon has to offer in the future. 'I think I can bring my strengths to help the club and push us in the right direction. The club have shown heaps of trust and faith in me over the time, so I had to repay them and get it done early, so there's no discussion or anything [about leaving].' Those with red-and-black blood in their veins can soak up the following words. 'I don't see myself at any other club but Essendon,' Caddy said. 'I really love the club, and it's where I see myself long-term. 'I'm not sure if Essendon would have been 100 per cent sure yet on a long-term deal, and would just [have instead preferred to] keep me on a short one for now. 'I still need to prove a lot more to be able to earn the trust to get a long contract.' The goal that kick-started the bandwagon Caddy's stunning goal against the Lions was the exclamation mark of an eye-catching third-quarter revival by the Bombers. They were pushing forward hard when Jade Gresham centred the ball from the pocket to Caddy lurking in the goal square. He pounced on the ground level ball and the rest is history. But the kick over his shoulder that levelled the scores wasn't pre-planned, or something he trained. It was entirely instinctive. Caddy is proud of the goal and, yes, he'd soak up any official recognition from the AFL. When asked about the possibility of it being adjudged goal of the year at the end of the season, Caddy's reply was immediate: 'hopefully'. 'It was just kind of an in-the-moment thing,' he said. 'I can't even explain it. 'I don't know what made me think to kick it [like that]. 'I just threw it over behind my head, and [it] went through and then I celebrated accordingly. '[But] oh no, no, I don't plan on kicking them over my head – if I did I'd probably get sacked, to be honest. 'And if I had missed that, I probably would have looked stupid, so luckily it went in.' In an era when kicks 'around the corner' at goal have become de rigueur, Caddy is conscious of focusing on the right routine for his set shots and his kicking in general play. 'I'm just trying to get as many reps in as possible – [to] keep it a really good routine,' Caddy says of his approach to goal-kicking. 'I'm still working on that and seeing what works best for me, [ensuring that] I'm really improving on that [part of my game]. 'My field kicking is something I work on a lot more as well... trying to improve that so that I can be a more dangerous AFL player and [so that] when I've got the ball in my hands I can be trusted with [it] by teammates.' 'I don't know what made me think to kick it [like that]. I just threw it over behind my head, and [it] went through and then I celebrated accordingly.' Nate Caddy on 'that' goal against the Lions A sponge for footy knowledge Only days away from turning 20, Caddy is one of the game's hottest properties. Essendon development coach and former Collingwood premiership player Travis Cloke is a strong influence, while Caddy also leans on the club's forwards assistant coach, Cam Roberts, and former Bombers big man Michael Hurley for advice. 'There's heaps of them, to be honest,' Caddy says, the enthusiasm in his voice obvious as he reflects on his trusted confidantes. It was a moment captured on live TV that illustrated Caddy's keenness to soak up information from those who've plied their trade at the top. Caddy had a post-game interview on Channel Seven in March featuring St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt. The pair had never met and the young Bomber, with the cameras still rolling, decided to hit up the hall of famer for some quick advice. Riewoldt quickly stepped aside and the two engaged in a chat about forward craft. 'I'm not sure how professional it was of me to … just walk off mid-interview to go and have a chat to the young fellow,' the St Kilda great said. Loading 'We spoke about some simple key bodywork stuff in marking contests. Like it was pretty granular. 'We've exchanged numbers – we'll catch up and have coffee.' Caddy is happy he made the first move. 'I just had a few things I wanted to ask him, and he's been really good post that [moment] as well,' the young Bomber said. 'He's obviously a really good player, and, you know, someone I really look up to because he was kind of a similar player to what I am. Caddy's willingness to be a sponge for knowledge on all things footy doesn't go unnoticed. One industry figure who's been keenly watching Caddy's career, who spoke anonymously to speak freely, said the young Bomber was constantly looking for improvement. 'Usually it takes them [footballers] until they're 22 to work that out,' the figure said. 'He's not too confident to not take counsel, if that makes sense, which just puts him in wonderful, wonderful stead.' The Kako combination The red-and-black fraternity have gone 25 years without a flag. A decade ago, they endured the drugs scandal. But having the likes of Caddy and Kako on the list has helped deliver fresh hope. 'Yeah, we're good mates,' Caddy says of his forward-line sidekick. 'We went to school together, played school footy together. We knew that once I got drafted to Essendon that we'd be teammates, because he was an Essendon NGA [next generation academy] player. 'We've also got Zak Johnson [another player who also went to Parade College]. 'We've got all three of us that are playing consistent AFL footy … from the same high school team at least two years ago. 'It's pretty cool.' Managing the hype With the hope of what Caddy could become comes the increased scrutiny and expectation – a tough juggling act for any player to manage. 'Yeah, yeah I see it,' Caddy says of the attention. Loading 'It obviously chops and changes when you have good and bad weeks. 'I'm not a pin-up boy for when everything goes wrong just yet. 'That might happen in the future, but hopefully not.' Caddy's eyes are firmly focused on the main target ahead of him – making the most of his potential to be one of the game's biggest stars. 'I've obviously got a lot to learn, and I'm the first to admit that,' he said. '[But I'm] just learning as I go, and just kind of slowly working out what works for me and how I can be a damaging AFL player.'
The Age
8 hours ago
- The Age
‘If I did I'd probably get sacked': Bombers young gun Caddy on the risk behind that stunning goal
Everyone has seen Nate Caddy's goal against the Brisbane Lions in round 12 – an outrageous over-the-head kick that will take some beating for the AFL goal of the year award. But it was a moment against Sydney three rounds earlier that illustrated the teenage star's true value to Essendon. The excitement around the athletic key forward grows by the week and spots on the Caddy bandwagon are fast running out. That goal against the Lions was an instinctive moment, but it also allowed the Bombers to level the scores against the reigning premiers at the Gabba. That game was a season-best performance for Essendon that ended in defeat, but it was also a breakout game for the 193-centimetre Caddy, who was drafted to Tullamarine from Melbourne's nearby northern suburbs less than two years ago and just weeks ago put pen to paper on a two-year extension. Against the Swans, Caddy's gut-running was on full display in an eye-catching team goal by the Bombers – kicked by Caddy himself – after he first gathered the ball across half-back, before the Sherrin finished in his hands in the goal square. The passage of play stemmed from a facet of Caddy's game that he'd made a priority ahead of this season: improving his tank and making it one of his weapons. 'I think a real target point for me [this year] was being an elite runner,' Caddy told this masthead. The numbers show that he runs up to 15 kilometres per game. Caddy points out that in Essendon's most recent game – a loss to Fremantle at Optus Stadium in which the Bomber took another great hanger – he played every minute. 'I kind of come into the games [now] thinking that I can beat people for speed,' says Caddy. 'I try to think as a [personal motivation for me] that no one can stop me. 'That's how I think I can impact the game.' And Caddy's ability to impact games is why the plaudits are coming thick and fast. Comparisons with Geelong's aerobic dynamo and goal-kicking champion Jeremy Cameron are common. Kane Cornes says Caddy will be vying with Bulldogs phenom Sam Darcy for best-player-in-the-AFL status in five years, while Essendon legend James Hird poured out the superlatives as he dissected the passage of play involving Caddy against Sydney at Marvel Stadium. 'Watch him keep running to get himself into [the] play, and get in the goal square,' observed Hird on Nine's Footy Furnace. 'That's the work rate and the work ethic that gets you to be a star in the competition.' 'Winning the ball at half-back, running all the way down and getting a goal [near] the goal-line – that is elite running.' Ahead of his 25th game in the top flight, Caddy – who played junior footy with fellow Bomber Isaac Kako – is a focus of hope for long-suffering Essendon fans. Caddy told this masthead that he sees his long-term AFL future at Tullamarine. But he's also convinced that a two-year top-up to his initial deal, locking him in at Essendon until 2028, was the right call. 'I really liked my time at Essendon the last two years,' he said. 'To sort of go around and sign for another two more, [taking] me to the end of my fifth year, I'm really excited for what Essendon has to offer in the future. 'I think I can bring my strengths to help the club and push us in the right direction. The club have shown heaps of trust and faith in me over the time, so I had to repay them and get it done early, so there's no discussion or anything [about leaving].' Those with red-and-black blood in their veins can soak up the following words. 'I don't see myself at any other club but Essendon,' Caddy said. 'I really love the club, and it's where I see myself long-term. 'I'm not sure if Essendon would have been 100 per cent sure yet on a long-term deal, and would just [have instead preferred to] keep me on a short one for now. 'I still need to prove a lot more to be able to earn the trust to get a long contract.' The goal that kick-started the bandwagon Caddy's stunning goal against the Lions was the exclamation mark of an eye-catching third-quarter revival by the Bombers. They were pushing forward hard when Jade Gresham centred the ball from the pocket to Caddy lurking in the goal square. He pounced on the ground level ball and the rest is history. But the kick over his shoulder that levelled the scores wasn't pre-planned, or something he trained. It was entirely instinctive. Caddy is proud of the goal and, yes, he'd soak up any official recognition from the AFL. When asked about the possibility of it being adjudged goal of the year at the end of the season, Caddy's reply was immediate: 'hopefully'. 'It was just kind of an in-the-moment thing,' he said. 'I can't even explain it. 'I don't know what made me think to kick it [like that]. 'I just threw it over behind my head, and [it] went through and then I celebrated accordingly. '[But] oh no, no, I don't plan on kicking them over my head – if I did I'd probably get sacked, to be honest. 'And if I had missed that, I probably would have looked stupid, so luckily it went in.' In an era when kicks 'around the corner' at goal have become de rigueur, Caddy is conscious of focusing on the right routine for his set shots and his kicking in general play. 'I'm just trying to get as many reps in as possible – [to] keep it a really good routine,' Caddy says of his approach to goal-kicking. 'I'm still working on that and seeing what works best for me, [ensuring that] I'm really improving on that [part of my game]. 'My field kicking is something I work on a lot more as well... trying to improve that so that I can be a more dangerous AFL player and [so that] when I've got the ball in my hands I can be trusted with [it] by teammates.' 'I don't know what made me think to kick it [like that]. I just threw it over behind my head, and [it] went through and then I celebrated accordingly.' Nate Caddy on 'that' goal against the Lions A sponge for footy knowledge Only days away from turning 20, Caddy is one of the game's hottest properties. Essendon development coach and former Collingwood premiership player Travis Cloke is a strong influence, while Caddy also leans on the club's forwards assistant coach, Cam Roberts, and former Bombers big man Michael Hurley for advice. 'There's heaps of them, to be honest,' Caddy says, the enthusiasm in his voice obvious as he reflects on his trusted confidantes. It was a moment captured on live TV that illustrated Caddy's keenness to soak up information from those who've plied their trade at the top. Caddy had a post-game interview on Channel Seven in March featuring St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt. The pair had never met and the young Bomber, with the cameras still rolling, decided to hit up the hall of famer for some quick advice. Riewoldt quickly stepped aside and the two engaged in a chat about forward craft. 'I'm not sure how professional it was of me to … just walk off mid-interview to go and have a chat to the young fellow,' the St Kilda great said. Loading 'We spoke about some simple key bodywork stuff in marking contests. Like it was pretty granular. 'We've exchanged numbers – we'll catch up and have coffee.' Caddy is happy he made the first move. 'I just had a few things I wanted to ask him, and he's been really good post that [moment] as well,' the young Bomber said. 'He's obviously a really good player, and, you know, someone I really look up to because he was kind of a similar player to what I am. Caddy's willingness to be a sponge for knowledge on all things footy doesn't go unnoticed. One industry figure who's been keenly watching Caddy's career, who spoke anonymously to speak freely, said the young Bomber was constantly looking for improvement. 'Usually it takes them [footballers] until they're 22 to work that out,' the figure said. 'He's not too confident to not take counsel, if that makes sense, which just puts him in wonderful, wonderful stead.' The Kako combination The red-and-black fraternity have gone 25 years without a flag. A decade ago, they endured the drugs scandal. But having the likes of Caddy and Kako on the list has helped deliver fresh hope. 'Yeah, we're good mates,' Caddy says of his forward-line sidekick. 'We went to school together, played school footy together. We knew that once I got drafted to Essendon that we'd be teammates, because he was an Essendon NGA [next generation academy] player. 'We've also got Zak Johnson [another player who also went to Parade College]. 'We've got all three of us that are playing consistent AFL footy … from the same high school team at least two years ago. 'It's pretty cool.' Managing the hype With the hope of what Caddy could become comes the increased scrutiny and expectation – a tough juggling act for any player to manage. 'Yeah, yeah I see it,' Caddy says of the attention. Loading 'It obviously chops and changes when you have good and bad weeks. 'I'm not a pin-up boy for when everything goes wrong just yet. 'That might happen in the future, but hopefully not.' Caddy's eyes are firmly focused on the main target ahead of him – making the most of his potential to be one of the game's biggest stars. 'I've obviously got a lot to learn, and I'm the first to admit that,' he said. '[But I'm] just learning as I go, and just kind of slowly working out what works for me and how I can be a damaging AFL player.'
7NEWS
10 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Former Richmond president Ian Wilson, father of Caroline, dies aged 91
Former Richmond president Ian Wilson has passed away at the age of 91. Wilson — who is the father of veteran AFL reporter and host of The Agenda Setters, Caroline Wilson — led the Tigers to multiple premierships between 1974 and 1985. Under his presidency, Richmond won their ninth and 10th VFL (at the time) flags in 1974 and 1980. The Tigers' 1974 flag was their second consecutive, having also won in 1973, under the tutelage of champion coach, Tom Hafey. Wilson also oversaw finals series in 1975 and 1977 before installing a new coach in Tony Jewell, who led the club to its 1980 premiership. Richmond did not salute again until 2017. Wilson presided over a third grand final in 1982, coached by Francis Bourke, when they lost by 18 points to Carlton. Caroline Wilson has for many decades been a trailblazer in football media. She was the first woman to report on the game in a full-time capacity, was chief football writer at The Age for 18 years, and has been one of the country's most decorated TV and radio hosts during her time, including most recently on Channel 7. Caroline made the move from Channel 9 to co-host The Agenda Setters at the start of 2025. Celebrating the 50-year anniversary of their 1973 flag in 2023, Richmond reflected on Wilson's legendary presidency by digging up an article in The Age from when he took over, at the end of that year. In the story, Wilson said: 'I realise the main aim of any football club is to win football matches each Saturday. We will work to develop our metropolitan zone, and increase our efforts to get Ken McAullay (star WA key defender) into a Richmond jumper. 'Our motto for next year is 'Four more in '74' (referring to success as well in the reserves, under 19s and under 17s). 'We will continue to press the VFL for more money for clubs. 'We feel too much money is going to VFL Park and not enough to the clubs which actually put on the show. 'Some clubs have to resort to illegal raffles and fund-raising activities to get a side on the ground each week. The VFL must be made to realise this.' Vale.
