Fyfe fights on: Why Dockers veteran still has a role to play
Nat Fyfe's return to the Dockers line-up as substitute has not only enabled the dual-Brownlow Medallist a pathway back into the side, but also a new and different way to impact.
On Saturday night against North Melbourne, the 33-year-old was injected into the contest late in the third term.
Fyfe quickly got down to work, setting up a foray forward with a beautifully weighted handpass to Josh Treacy on the wing.
As others tired in the wet and heavy conditions, Fyfe's impact on the game grew, collecting eight final quarter touches, his work in traffic and use of hands a feature ending with 100 per cent disposal efficiency from nine disposals.
It was a similar story a fortnight earlier when Fyfe was pivotal in the dying stages of the crucial road victory against the Suns, again in the wet, again influencing when the sting had gone out of the contest and the game had opened up.
In 2025, Fyfe's 16th and most likely last year, the former captain had the potential to peter out. Knee and hamstring injuries wiped out his first half of the season.
His absence allowed increased opportunity and responsibility for youngsters Matthew Johnson, and more recently, Neil Erasmus.
His inclusion adds valuable experience in the run to finals to a side which was 18th for average age and experience in the open 12 rounds.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir called SCG surface unsafe last week but is happy to play Swans there on Sunday
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says a training session on the SCG before his team takes on the Swans on Sunday will be crucial for players to work out what boots to wear on the dodgy surface. But Longmuir stayed away from his previous claim that it was 'unsafe', instead declaring his players were used to playing on slippery surfaces after enduring issues with their home ground at Optus Stadium in 2025. The SCG surface has been in the spotlight since last Friday night when players form both the Swans and Western Bulldogs slipped badly, particularly at one end. GWS star Toby Greene said it was 'actually embarrassing' how bad it was having been forced to wear metal studs in round 8. It moved the AFL to send its own turf expert to inspect the surface and engage in conversations with the Dockers, and on Thursday, Longmuir said he was happy to play there. 'Like I've said all along, if the AFL tick it off, we'll play anywhere,' he said. Longmuir said his players had been spoken to about what boots to wear, but a run on the ground on Saturday would be important in informing their decisions. 'Yeah, it will be important, but we've had a fair bit of practise playing on slippery surfaces,' he said. 'Optus (Stadium) last year wasn't great, it was a bit slippery, so if that's all it is, we'll be able to handle it. 'We'll get a good look at our captain's run and our players will be well prepared with their boots and get to work. 'The preparation stuff we speak to the players about and once we get later in the week, we are just talking about our footy. 'I said this post game, both teams will have to play on the surface, so we'll embrace it and just get to work.' Longmuir said he had no issues injecting captain Alex Pearce into the game despite managing a knee issue, having watched as Western Bulldog Bailey Williams nearly did himself damage last weekend. The Fremantle coach also dismissed calls for Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe to retire after he suffered a calf injury that could sideline him for another month or more. Fyfe, 33, has played just four games in 2025 due to a myriad injuries, but Longmuir wouldn't put a line through his stellar career. 'They're just opinions,' Longmuir said. 'We'll deal in facts.'
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Coach walks back ‘unsafe' SCG call
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says a training session on the SCG before his team takes on the Swans on Sunday will be crucial for players to work out what boots to wear on the dodgy surface. But Longmuir stayed away from his previous claim that it was 'unsafe', instead declaring his players were used to playing on slippery surfaces after enduring issues with their home ground at Optus Stadium in 2025. The SCG surface has been in the spotlight since last Friday night when players form both the Swans and Western Bulldogs slipped badly, particularly at one end. GWS star Toby Greene said it was 'actually embarrassing' how bad it was having been forced to wear metal studs in round 8. It moved the AFL to send its own turf expert to inspect the surface and engage in conversations with the Dockers, and on Thursday, Longmuir said he was happy to play there. 'Like I've said all along, if the AFL tick it off, we'll play anywhere,' he said. The SCG playing surface has come under scrutiny after players slipped at one particular end of the ground. Credit: FOX SPORTS Longmuir said his players had been spoken to about what boots to wear, but a run on the ground on Saturday would be important in informing their decisions. 'Yeah, it will be important, but we've had a fair bit of practise playing on slippery surfaces,' he said. 'Optus (Stadium) last year wasn't great, it was a bit slippery, so if that's all it is, we'll be able to handle it. 'We'll get a good look at our captain's run and our players will be well prepared with their boots and get to work. 'The preparation stuff we speak to the players about and once we get later in the week, we are just talking about our footy. 'I said this post game, both teams will have to play on the surface, so we'll embrace it and just get to work.' Longmuir said he had no issues injecting captain Alex Pearce into the game despite managing a knee issue, having watched as Western Bulldog Bailey Williams nearly did himself damage last weekend. The Fremantle coach also dismissed calls for Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe to retire after he suffered a calf injury that could sideline him for another month or more. Fyfe, 33, has played just four games in 2025 due to a myriad injuries, but Longmuir wouldn't put a line through his stellar career. 'They're just opinions,' Longmuir said. 'We'll deal in facts.'
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
AFL Round 17 North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs: Scores, news and analysis from Kanagroos' centenary game
North Melbourne young gun Harry Sheezel believes the presence of legends including dual premiership captain Wayne Carey at the club's Centenary celebrations on Thursday night can boost the current-day Kangaroos in their quest to upset the Western Bulldogs. Sheezel met up with Carey this week as he presented the 1996 and 1999 premiership captain's six-year-old son Carter with a signed North Melbourne jumper. Sheezel is Carter's favourite player. Carey, who is considered the club's greatest player, and his son are set to be a part of a special on-field celebration of the Kangaroos' 100 years as part of the VFL-AFL competition before the clash with the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium. Club legends and key figures from North Melbourne's history will be honoured during the night, including members from the club's five premiership-winning teams (1975, 1977, 1996, 1999 and the 2024 AFLW side). 'There is a real buzz around the club at the moment,' Sheezel told the Herald Sun. 'It was great to see 'the Duck' (Carey) and his son Carter, who is a keen Kangas fan. 'He (Carey) goes to the same osteo as me and I've run into him a few times out the front. 'It's pretty cool. 'The Duck' has mentioned to me a few times (how Sheezel is Carter's favourite player). Little Carter had about eight footy cards for me to sign and I presented him with a No.3 jumper as well.' Fans are encouraged to arrive early on and be seated by 6.45pm on Thursday night for the pre-game ceremony, which will include the Kangaroos 300-plus game players Brent Harvey, Todd Goldstein, Drew Petrie, Glenn Archer, Adam Simpson and Wayne Schimmelbusch, as well as Brownlow medallists Malcolm Blight, Keith Greig, Noel Teasdale and Ross Glendinning. All members have access to the club's Centenary game, with access consistent with all other Marvel Stadium home games. General public tickets are available at Ticketmaster. Sheezel said the 2025 side desperately wanted to make amends for last week's thrashing at the hands of Hawthorn with the aim of helping drive the club bounce up the ladder again. 'The club has done a great job of making sure the young draftees know the history of our club. We've won four flags and we are right across that,' he said. 'We know the challenges the club has been through across the generations and we know how the fans have always stayed loyal. 'You feel that every day and that's why everyone wants to stick around this great club and take it back to where it belongs.' North Melbourne's last premiership coach Denis Pagan will give the current side a pre-game rev-up after being asked to do so by current coach Alastair Clarkson. 'I'm looking forward to the rev up, I've heard Denis has made a few of them,' Sheezel said. 'This is a great opportunity on the big stage and hopefully we can feed off the energy of the fans and the past players. 'I have no doubt we will bring that pressure and give it a good crack against the Dogs.' Round 17, vs Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium, 7.30pm
