Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe benched for Fremantle's entire come-from-behind win over St Kilda
The Dockers lost the lead in the third quarter before kicking four unanswered goals in the final term and then holding on for a 11.15 (81) to 9.15 (69) win at Optus Stadium.
And they did it all without Fyfe after the veteran, who is facing serious questions about his future beyond this year, sat for the full game.
Fremantle were two goals up with just under eight minutes remaining when it became clear the 33-year-old would not be called upon.
'He hasn't moved all day. I wouldn't be surprised if he's not coming on unless required (by injury),' Will Schofield said on Fox Sports.
Dockers great Matthew Pavlich described it as 'strange' before Fremantle star Jordan Clark, who had 31 disposals and a goal in the win over the Saints, defended the situation in a post-match interview.
'It's a luxury. I think that's the best place — if we don't need him, we don't need him,' he told Fox Sports.
'Fyfey's role's changed at the club now and he still adds such a great level head, experience, and when he comes on for little bursts he's still got it.
'He would've loved to get out there tonight but selfishly I don't want to put him out there and risk (injury) — I want to keep him for the back end of the year.'
The game will go down in the record books as Fyfe's fourth appearance of the season, all of which have involved the substitute role in some capacity.
He was subbed on in his first two games of the year then played three-quarters of the Dockers' win over Essendon before being pulled.
Fyfe managed just 11 disposals and one clearance, also spending periods stationed in attack to help fill the void left by Sam Switkowski (hamstring), but looked a shadow of the contested beast he once was.
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.
'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 last week.
'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.'
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