Latest news with #BrownlowMedals
West Australian
01-07-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Nat Fyfe: Injured Fremantle Dockers veteran ‘disappointed' but not done with yet, says coach Justin Longmuir
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says he feels for a 'disappointed' Nat Fyfe, but maintains hope that the two-time Brownlow medallist can fix his injury issues in time for the business end of the season. Fyfe failed to take to the field in last weekend's win over St Kilda, with the Dockers substitute suffering what was later confirmed as a moderate-grade calf injury in the half-time warm-up. The club estimate the veteran's return date as two-to-four weeks. It marked the latest in a frustrating year for the 33-year-old, who had an interrupted pre-season due to knee surgery before being set back by a hamstring strain at WAFL level. 'He's disappointed,' Longmuir said of Fyfe on Seven. 'It wasn't ideal for anyone on the weekend. 'I feel for him and what he's gone through, being disrupted again by injury this year.' Longmuir said the latest injury blow would have no bearing on the future of the three-time Doig Medal winner, who is out of contract at season's end. 'We'll make those decisions later in the year,' Longmuir said. 'I'm really conscious of living in the moment. I really want to get Fyfey to rehab it as best he can and as quick as he can and get back to putting his hand up for selection again.' Fyfe is yet to play in a finals match since winning the first of his Brownlow Medals in 2015, with the former skipper desperate to return as the Dockers eye September action. Longmuir hailed the impact of his much-discussed ruck duo in the win over the Saints, with Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy pivotal in helping Freo overcome a 14-point deficit in the final term to help extend the club's winning streak to six. 'I thought Sean's ruck work returned to some of his better work, and his aerial (presence) around the ground was strong as well,' Longmuir said. 'They were both strong contributors.'
Perth Now
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Fyfe ‘disappointed' but not done with yet, says coach
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says he feels for a 'disappointed' Nat Fyfe, but maintains hope that the two-time Brownlow medallist can fix his injury issues in time for the business end of the season. Fyfe failed to take to the field in last weekend's win over St Kilda, with the Dockers substitute suffering what was later confirmed as a moderate-grade calf injury in the half-time warm-up. The club estimate the veteran's return date as two-to-four weeks. It marked the latest in a frustrating year for the 33-year-old, who had an interrupted pre-season due to knee surgery before being set back by a hamstring strain at WAFL level. 'He's disappointed,' Longmuir said of Fyfe on Seven. 'It wasn't ideal for anyone on the weekend. 'I feel for him and what he's gone through, being disrupted again by injury this year.' Longmuir said the latest injury blow would have no bearing on the future of the three-time Doig Medal winner, who is out of contract at season's end. 'We'll make those decisions later in the year,' Longmuir said. 'I'm really conscious of living in the moment. I really want to get Fyfey to rehab it as best he can and as quick as he can and get back to putting his hand up for selection again.' Fyfe is yet to play in a finals match since winning the first of his Brownlow Medals in 2015, with the former skipper desperate to return as the Dockers eye September action. Longmuir hailed the impact of his much-discussed ruck duo in the win over the Saints, with Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy pivotal in helping Freo overcome a 14-point deficit in the final term to help extend the club's winning streak to six. 'I thought Sean's ruck work returned to some of his better work, and his aerial (presence) around the ground was strong as well,' Longmuir said. 'They were both strong contributors.'
7NEWS
24-06-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Fremantle urged to act on ‘sad' Nat Fyfe situation
Fremantle are being urged to make a decision around champion midfielder Nat Fyfe. 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.
