
Fyfe sidelined AGAIN! Latest blow for star veteran
Fremantle star Nat Fyfe has been dealt a savage blow with the veteran ruled out for up to four weeks after straining his calf while warming up against St Kilda on Sunday.
Fyfe was named as the starting sub against the Saints but remained on the bench for the entire game. Coach Justin Longmuir revealed after the match that Fyfe had reported calf awareness while warming up at half-time but was hopeful he hadn't done too much damage.
The news was all bad for the dual Brownlow medallist though after learning he had suffered a strain that will keep him out of action for between two and four weeks.
'Obviously frustrating for Nat after he was able to get some continuity with his body in the last month' said Fremantle Executive General Manager of Football Joe Brierty.
'He will now commence an offloading and reconditioning period and our performance health team will set the program with Nat to return to football in the next few weeks.'
The injury comes at a horrible time for Fyfe. He worked hard to recover from knee and hamstring injuries and showed he could have an impact as the sub.
But now he will almost certainly have to re-build fitness and confidence in the WAFL before having another opportunity to play at the highest level.
The Dockers have won six games in a row and also have Jaeger O'Meara already trying to get back in the team. Star Hayden Young is on a similar timeframe to Fyfe adding more selection pressure.
Fyfe hasn't played a final since 2015. He missed Fremantle's 2022 finals run due to injury.
Out of contract at the end of the season, the injury will also make it hard for Fyfe to become just the fourth Docker to play 250 games behind David Mundy, Matthew Pavlich and Aaron Sandilands. He is currently sitting on 244 matches.

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The Advertiser
13 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Swans upset Freo in SCG thriller
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir lamented a lacklustre first half from his side but remained defiant about their AFL finals prospects after an 11-point away loss to Sydney left them outside the top eight. The Swans, who never trailed, twice held a 20-point lead in the third quarter at the SCG before the Dockers clawed back to within a point in a nerve-shredding final quarter. But despite having plenty of ball In their offensive half, the visitors couldn't muster another major, with goals to Will Hayward and Hayden McLean securing Sydney a 14.10 (94) to 12.11 (83) victory. The Swans snapped Fremantle's six-match winning streak and with the Bulldogs, Suns and Giants all winning, the Dockers dropped from sixth to ninth. "We're a game out of the four, we lost a game, we're not out of it, (we'll) keep fighting," Longmuir said. Sydney rose to 10th with their third win in eight home games, but are still three wins out of the eight with seven rounds remaining. "We're not in a position to be able to go, 'Oh yeah, what's happening a month out'. We're just continually looking at what's right in front of us," Sydney coach Dean Cox said. McLean kicked three goals, with Joel Amartey, Jake Lloyd and James Jordon bagging two each in an intense contest which brought the first upset of a round in which the top nine faced the bottom nine. Fremantle had three more inside 50s and four more contested possessions while Sydney notched nine more clearances. Sydney scored 60 points from stoppages, with Longmuir saying clearances at the centre bounce was an issues for his team in the first half. "There was some structural set up stuff that wasn't right in the first half and those centre bounces were unacceptable," he said. "We gave ourselves a chance, which I'm proud of, but in the end they had too much class and finish than us." In-form Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy piled up a match-high 12 clearances and dominated early, but Sean Darcy fought back well In the second half. Jordon held Caleb Serong to just four touches in the first half and 11 for the game while also hurting the Dockers with two goals. "He was unbelievable," Cox said of Jordon. Captain Callum Mills topped Sydney's possessions list with 26, while fellow prime movers Errol Gulden and Chad Warner tallied 25 and 24 respectively. Fremantle forward Shai Bolton, playing his 150th AFL game, didn't touch the ball till late in the second quarter but was far more dangerous in the second half. Luke Jackson and Josh Treacy both kicked two goals for Fremantle. Nathan O'Driscoll accumulated 26 possessions and Andrew Bradshaw 24. After all the criticism of the SCG surface at the Paddington End over the past week there were no issues on a dry sunny Sydney day. Sydney will check on the condition of forward Tom Papley who was replaced at halftime after suffering a hamstring injury, and forward Joel Amartey, who had groin tightness. It was just Sydney's third home win in eight games. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir lamented a lacklustre first half from his side but remained defiant about their AFL finals prospects after an 11-point away loss to Sydney left them outside the top eight. The Swans, who never trailed, twice held a 20-point lead in the third quarter at the SCG before the Dockers clawed back to within a point in a nerve-shredding final quarter. But despite having plenty of ball In their offensive half, the visitors couldn't muster another major, with goals to Will Hayward and Hayden McLean securing Sydney a 14.10 (94) to 12.11 (83) victory. The Swans snapped Fremantle's six-match winning streak and with the Bulldogs, Suns and Giants all winning, the Dockers dropped from sixth to ninth. "We're a game out of the four, we lost a game, we're not out of it, (we'll) keep fighting," Longmuir said. Sydney rose to 10th with their third win in eight home games, but are still three wins out of the eight with seven rounds remaining. "We're not in a position to be able to go, 'Oh yeah, what's happening a month out'. We're just continually looking at what's right in front of us," Sydney coach Dean Cox said. McLean kicked three goals, with Joel Amartey, Jake Lloyd and James Jordon bagging two each in an intense contest which brought the first upset of a round in which the top nine faced the bottom nine. Fremantle had three more inside 50s and four more contested possessions while Sydney notched nine more clearances. Sydney scored 60 points from stoppages, with Longmuir saying clearances at the centre bounce was an issues for his team in the first half. "There was some structural set up stuff that wasn't right in the first half and those centre bounces were unacceptable," he said. "We gave ourselves a chance, which I'm proud of, but in the end they had too much class and finish than us." In-form Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy piled up a match-high 12 clearances and dominated early, but Sean Darcy fought back well In the second half. Jordon held Caleb Serong to just four touches in the first half and 11 for the game while also hurting the Dockers with two goals. "He was unbelievable," Cox said of Jordon. Captain Callum Mills topped Sydney's possessions list with 26, while fellow prime movers Errol Gulden and Chad Warner tallied 25 and 24 respectively. Fremantle forward Shai Bolton, playing his 150th AFL game, didn't touch the ball till late in the second quarter but was far more dangerous in the second half. Luke Jackson and Josh Treacy both kicked two goals for Fremantle. Nathan O'Driscoll accumulated 26 possessions and Andrew Bradshaw 24. After all the criticism of the SCG surface at the Paddington End over the past week there were no issues on a dry sunny Sydney day. Sydney will check on the condition of forward Tom Papley who was replaced at halftime after suffering a hamstring injury, and forward Joel Amartey, who had groin tightness. It was just Sydney's third home win in eight games. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir lamented a lacklustre first half from his side but remained defiant about their AFL finals prospects after an 11-point away loss to Sydney left them outside the top eight. The Swans, who never trailed, twice held a 20-point lead in the third quarter at the SCG before the Dockers clawed back to within a point in a nerve-shredding final quarter. But despite having plenty of ball In their offensive half, the visitors couldn't muster another major, with goals to Will Hayward and Hayden McLean securing Sydney a 14.10 (94) to 12.11 (83) victory. The Swans snapped Fremantle's six-match winning streak and with the Bulldogs, Suns and Giants all winning, the Dockers dropped from sixth to ninth. "We're a game out of the four, we lost a game, we're not out of it, (we'll) keep fighting," Longmuir said. Sydney rose to 10th with their third win in eight home games, but are still three wins out of the eight with seven rounds remaining. "We're not in a position to be able to go, 'Oh yeah, what's happening a month out'. We're just continually looking at what's right in front of us," Sydney coach Dean Cox said. McLean kicked three goals, with Joel Amartey, Jake Lloyd and James Jordon bagging two each in an intense contest which brought the first upset of a round in which the top nine faced the bottom nine. Fremantle had three more inside 50s and four more contested possessions while Sydney notched nine more clearances. Sydney scored 60 points from stoppages, with Longmuir saying clearances at the centre bounce was an issues for his team in the first half. "There was some structural set up stuff that wasn't right in the first half and those centre bounces were unacceptable," he said. "We gave ourselves a chance, which I'm proud of, but in the end they had too much class and finish than us." In-form Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy piled up a match-high 12 clearances and dominated early, but Sean Darcy fought back well In the second half. Jordon held Caleb Serong to just four touches in the first half and 11 for the game while also hurting the Dockers with two goals. "He was unbelievable," Cox said of Jordon. Captain Callum Mills topped Sydney's possessions list with 26, while fellow prime movers Errol Gulden and Chad Warner tallied 25 and 24 respectively. Fremantle forward Shai Bolton, playing his 150th AFL game, didn't touch the ball till late in the second quarter but was far more dangerous in the second half. Luke Jackson and Josh Treacy both kicked two goals for Fremantle. Nathan O'Driscoll accumulated 26 possessions and Andrew Bradshaw 24. After all the criticism of the SCG surface at the Paddington End over the past week there were no issues on a dry sunny Sydney day. Sydney will check on the condition of forward Tom Papley who was replaced at halftime after suffering a hamstring injury, and forward Joel Amartey, who had groin tightness. It was just Sydney's third home win in eight games.

Courier-Mail
13 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
AFL 2025 Sydney Swans defeat Fremantle Dockers, Round 17, as Tom Papley injured at the SCG
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Sydney Swans are still alive in season 2025 after a thrilling 11-point win over Fremantle on Sunday. But their 14.10 (94) to 12.11 (83) win has come at a cost with Joel Amartey (groin) limping off in the dying stages and Tom Papley (hamstring) subbed out at half time. It's another painful close loss for the Dockers, who missed the finals last year after several narrow defeats. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Sydney led from start to finish, as Freo's tough record against the Swans rolls on with a sixth loss in their last eight games. The Swans were out by 20 points in the third term before the Dockers found their fight through big man Luke Jackson (13 disposals, two goals) who kicked truly after the three quarter time siren. Injured star Tom Papley with Isaac Heeney after the win over Fremantle. (Photo by Phil Hillyard) Docker Jye Amiss had multiple chances to close the gap in the final term but blew them. When Michael Frederick put his running shot out on the full in the dying stages, Sydney were able to hang on for the win. Fremantle's top eight hopes now hang in the balance, but for Sydney they stay alive in season 2025, although coach Dean Cox is sweating on his latest injuries. 'We need to work out the extent of that (Papley's injury) and the same with Amartey late in the game,' he said. 'We'll see throughout the next couple of days how that settles, get some scans and the results will come from that.' Their 11-point win at the SCG was set up on the back of a first half midfield 'bashing'. At half time, the Swans nailed five goals to none from centre clearance in worrying signs for Freo coach Justin Longmuir. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY 'They've been so dominant – plus-13 for clearance but in particular their centre bounce work, five goals from centre bounce,' Fox Footy's Alastair Lynch said. 'It is the mechanics of the four that are in there,' Dermott Brereton added. 'When (Brodie) Grundy is in there predominantly, they are having the first look, the first touch, the first clearance, first possession. It's predominantly going Sydney's way. 'That's the difference in the game as it stands.' Brodie Grundy was given the massive task of taking on Freo's tag team of Sean Darcy and Jackson. Brodie Grundy (left) was a standout again for the Swans. (Photo by) But Sydney's 'shining light' delivered in another outstanding performance. 'He's like a man possessed,' Fox Footy's Dwayne Russell said. 'He's a different man Brodie Grundy this last month and a bit. 'He did finish fourth in the best and fairest last year.' Statistics showed Grundy has leapt into the #11 ranked player in the AFL – up from the #95 he was ranked for the first six rounds. By full time, Grundy racked up 20 disposals, 33 hit-outs and a goal in a stellar performance. The Swans have shown vast improvement since the likes of Errol Gulden returned, but Cox will be hoping for some good news on the injury front ahead of next week's clash with the Saints at Marvel Stadium. Originally published as Swans' slim finals hopes still alive but injuries strike again in Freo win


Perth Now
15 hours ago
- Perth Now
Longmuir vows to ‘change things up' to better protect Serong
Fremantle have promised to find different ways to use Caleb Serong when he's being tagged after the All-Australian midfielder was held to his lowest possession tally since his debut season during the Dockers' 11-point loss to Sydney on Sunday. The Dockers were hoping to extend their winning streak to seven games but were blown away in the midfield and James Jordan restricted Serong to just 11 possessions in Sydney's 14.10 (94) to 12.11 (83) win. Sydney also held Serong to 19 disposals earlier in the season while St Kilda restricted him to 18 touches in round eight and 15 possessions last week. Serong has been one of the AFL's best ball winners, at one stage having 73 consecutive games with at least 20 disposals. Coach Justin Longmuir said the team needed to give him new ways to impact the result when receiving heavy attention. 'We've got to explore that, absolutely,' he said. 'We put him forward in the third quarter and he kicked a goal. He had a little bit more influence in the second half. We think he can have influence as a forward. We'd rather not do it. 'We'll try and change things up in the midfield a little bit. We went to that. We will keep exploring those things. He's getting more and more attention. Teams are sitting tighter and tighter on him so we'll keep helping him through that.' Sydney also restricted Andrew Brayshaw's influence for large portions of the game and controlled the midfield. Sydney led the centre clearances 10-2 at half-time which set up their 17-point lead. Fremantle fought back strongly in the second half, winning the clearances and reducing the deficit to one point during the final term. The Dockers comprehensively lost clearances in all of four games where Serong was restricted this season. But Longmuir denied his team relies on Serong and Brayshaw to be the keys to victory. 'We had the same team out there in the first half as the second half and won the clearances in the second half,' he said. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir. Credit: Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos / via Getty Images 'Caleb was still out there in the second half and we were plus-five for clearances in the second half. It was the same personnel so I'm not concerned about that.' Despite entering the game as one of the AFL's form teams, the loss saw Fremantle fall from sixth to ninth in a reminder of how tight this season is at the top. Jye Amiss in action. Credit: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images But Longmuir said the squad wouldn't be letting the ladder dictate their emotions as they prepare for a Saturday night clash against Hawthorn at Optus Stadium. 'It wasn't as though we were going to go through the rest of the season and not lose. We were probably hoping that but it's a bit unrealistic,' he said. 'A loss was going to come. We'll review it the same as we reviewed our six wins, get better and try to beat Hawthorn next week. I'd imagine we're a game out of the four. We lost a game. We're not out of it. We'll keep fighting.'