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
6 hours ago
- News.com.au
AFL star Darcy Tucker's $350k St Kilda East property play
Bayside-style living without the bayside price tag has made St Kilda East the perfect match for North Melbourne player Darcy Tucker and his partner Ellie Morish. Tucker, 27, joined North Melbourne in 2023 after 108 games with Fremantle, having been drafted at pick 27 in the 2015 national draft. The versatile defender made his AFL debut in 2016 and has since built a reputation for his consistency, toughness and ability to shut down dangerous opponents. Shock reason two-bed unit had buyers fly in The couple moved into the inner-city suburb after six months of searching, drawn by its unbeatable location and a price tag almost $350,000 lower than neighbouring bayside postcodes and said it's all about location. 'We're right in the middle of everything, a short stroll to Chapel St, High St, some of the best restaurants in Melbourne,' they said. 'The centrality is unbeatable.' Having lived in Albert Park for years, Ellie said she was well aware of the gap in values between St Kilda East and similar suburbs. 'I track the market very closely so I knew exactly what we were stepping into,' she said. 'We bought an architecturally designed Victorian home that's brand new and finished without compromise. 'In Albert Park or Prahran, something similar would be hundreds of thousands more.' For Darcy, the move also made sense from a practical perspective with the drive to Arden St quicker than when the couple was in Albert Park. 'Public transport here is excellent too, when the Metro Tunnel opens, he could even take a train straight across the city if he wanted to Arden.' The pair have quickly settled into the community, with the couple agreeing Alma Park 'the best dog park in Melbourne. 'It's just five minutes from home we also take regular visits to our local favourite The Wall on Carlisle Street for coffee,' Ellie said. 'Darcy's away a lot with football and I've never felt unsafe here. And with Melbourne tipped for a market upswing in the coming years, she expects St Kilda East's time could be soon. 'When Prahran and Armadale get to that point where buyers are priced out, they'll come here,' Ellie said. 'We're a long way off upsizing, but I know when the market catches on, this will be the perfect springboard for our next property.'
Perth Now
16 hours ago
- Perth Now
Young and Johnson both chances to take on Bulldogs
Gun Fremantle midfielder Hayden Young will face a fitness test on a groin injury on Wednesday as the Dockers prepare for a likely sudden-death clash with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium. Fellow midfielder Matthew Johnson is also a chance to return to the team from an ankle injury. The pair will test their fitness at Wednesday's main training session. Young has been sidelined with a groin injury since the round 21 win over Carlton, while Johnson has missed four weeks after suffering an ankle injury in the win over Collingwood. 'They (Young and Johnson) completed a game simulation session on the weekend,' Fremantle high performance manager Phil Merriman said. 'Both are looking really good and need to get through training on Wednesday to be available for selection this weekend.' Bringing in both Young and Johnson off injury would be a gamble. Hayden Young. Credit: Michael Wilson / The West Australian The Dockers have already brought several players back from injury in recent weeks. Alex Pearce, Nat Fyfe and Corey Wagner have all returned from lay-offs in the past fortnight. Nat Fyfe played as the sub on Saturday night and Wagner was subbed off. Longmuir said picking players who are fit enough to perform would be a huge call. 'We just have to work through that,' he said. 'We're getting to the end of the season and sometimes there is a bit more risk at this time of the year with that stuff. We won't be playing any of those players if they are underdone and are 50-50. But if they get through training and put their hand up for selection then we will have the discussion.' Fremantle are in the same position as last season, needing to win their last match to play finals despite being a top-four contender during the run home. The Dockers have played finals only one since 2015. The Dockers have already won 15 matches, enough to finish in the top four last season. Defender James Aish will be unavailable after entering concussion protocols that forced him out of Peel Thunder's Round 19 clash. 'Unfortunately for Jimmy, he worked through the week and just got some delayed symptoms with his concussion,' Merriman said. 'He'll be a miss this week and hopefully will be available after the 12-day protocol.'
West Australian
16 hours ago
- West Australian
Why Fremantle great Kiara Bowers' ‘brilliant' AFLW return didn't take the Dockers by surprise
Fremantle's AFLW footy boss Clare Heffernan has praised club great Kiara Bowers, saying she lived up to the lofty expectations set for herself in her highly-anticipated return. After missing last season due to the birth of her son Luca in August last year, Bowers dominated in the Dockers' season-opening win against Port Adelaide on Sunday. The star midfielder picked up a perfect 10 coaches' votes, ahead of Emma O'Driscoll (seven), Gabby Newton (four), Megan Kauffman (three), Hayley Miller (two), Ash Brazill and Mim Strom (one), while Power forward Justine Mules-Robinson polled two. Heffernan said the 33-year-old's remarkable return didn't take her by surprise because 'the standard for her is so high'. 'She was brilliant,' Heffernan told The West Australian of the 2021 AFLW best and fairest winner. 'She just goes about it in a way that is so understated; she just does all the little things. Her fitness is next level and it was like she hasn't missed a game. It was really impressive.' Heffernan said it was a credit to the three-time All-Australian and four-time club champion's fitness that there were no signs of rust, despite 650 days between AFLW games, as well as a mountain of work in the pre-season. Bowers came equal-first in the club's 1km time trial in May, setting the tone for her comeback season. 'She's got an incredible aerobic base which serves her really well,' she said. 'That, with great genetics, she's got good DNA, and then her work rate is just next level. She's a really impressive athlete.' The Dockers will hope to continue their winning start to the season as they host Brisbane at Fremantle Community Bank Oval on Saturday. The Lions made it all the way to the grand final last year, dominated by the Kangaroos in the premiership decider, but are yet to win a game this season following a round one loss to Hawthorn.
