Will supersub Fyfe be unleashed against the Blues?

Perth Now

5 days ago

Fremantle veteran Nat Fyfe could reprise his supersub role as early as this week as the two-time Brownlow Medal winner prepares to make his latest comeback from injury.
Fyfe missed the start of the season as he built back from knee surgery, then missed more time with a hamstring tear before making his AFL return in round 12 as the sub.
The 33-year-old managed just three games before straining his calf while warming up as the sub at halftime of the round 16 win over St Kilda.
Fyfe is now ready to return to playing duties, and a comeback via the WAFL is one viable option.
But Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is also weighing up whether to bring Fyfe back as the sub for Sunday's clash with Carlton at Optus Stadium.
Longmuir pulled the same move when Fyfe was ready to return from his hamstring injury earlier this year.
"He offers us a lot as the sub, with his leadership, his maturity, his calm presence on the bench," Longmuir said of Fyfe, who is coming out of contract and is no certainty to play on next year.
"And he's been able to come on as the sub and impact through the middle of the game with his experience, role play and contest work.
"I'm open to a variety of different roles Fyfe can play, but the No.1 thing is to get is body right and confidence in his body.
"It's about making sure we build his footy and confidence in his body so he can really make the most of the last period of the season."
In a perfect world, Fyfe would come on at three-quarter time against Carlton to add some late impact.
But Longmuir knows playing Fyfe as the sub in his first game back comes with risks.
"If you get an injury in the first quarter, can that player hold up for three quarters? That's always a consideration," Longmuir said.
"There's a balance of what Fyfey needs and what the team needs.
"He needs to be fit and confident in his body and game."
Skipper Alex Pearce is also a chance to return after recovering from a lingering hot spot in his shin.
Pearce was sidelined for five weeks with the injury, returned against Sydney in round 17, before being sidelined again for the next three weeks after experiencing a flare-up from that game.
"I'm more confident than last time. I can't say 100 per cent though," Longmuir replied when asked about the risks of a recurrence.
"There's always a risk, but I feel like he's done the work and is in a good spot.
"I think we've probably been a little bit more conservative this time, so it should hold him in good stead."
Meanwhile, defender Kyle Worner has signed a two-year contract extension, tying him to Fremantle until the end of 2027.
The seventh-placed Dockers (13-6) have won nine of their past 10 games to be just percentage adrift of fourth spot with four games remaining.