Former West Coast defender Alex Witherden says Fremantle's decision to play Nat Fyfe ‘reeks of desperation'
Former West Coast defender Alex Withderden has taken a bizarre swipe at his former arch-rivals Fremantle, saying the Dockers' selection of Nat Fyfe 'reeks of desperation'.
The Dockers parachuted the dual Brownlow medallist into their team to take on Gold Coast at People First Stadium on Saturday despite not playing at all this season.
Fyfe has not suited up since he injured his hamstring while playing for Peel Thunder in round two and the former skipper's last AFL game was all the way back in round 24 of last year.
The 33-year-old joins ruckman Sean Darcy and defender Josh Draper in coming into the team for injured captain Alex Pearce, hard-running defender Cooper Simpson (shoulder) and small forward Isaiah Dudley — who will miss for personal reasons.
Darcy returns despite Luke Jackson starring in the No.1 ruck role with the decision to bring him back also causing plenty of consternation among AFL fans.
Witherden — who was delisted by the Eagles last year after 62 games in four seasons having crossed from Brisbane — said he was shocked at the selection of Fyfe and Darcy.
'I nearly fell off my chair when I saw it last night,' Witherden told SEN.
'I was really surprised. I feel like the last fortnight they've played some of their better footy in recent years, they've really started to get going, they've got a bit more speed on the ball which has given their forwards really good looks.
'I'm just not sure why you would mess with the mix that you've got at the moment, there was just no need to, but we do know that Darcy and Fyfe at their best can be really big assets for the Fremantle footy club going forward.
'The other key thing about this which shocks me is Perth to Gold Coast is the longest travel in AFL footy … for guys with injury history it just doesn't seem to make sense either.'
Witherden then stunned when he took a bit swipe at the Dockers' decision for picking Fyfe ahead of a crucial clash against the Suns which they're not expected to win.
'It reeks of desperation or a Hail Mary or whatever it might be,' he said.
'It doesn't quite pass the sniff test for me, I would've liked to see them both come back through the WAFL.'
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