Fremantle Dockers star Nat Fyfe puts hand up for AFL return after sensational WAFL comeback

West Australian

2 days ago

Dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe has taken a giant stride towards returning to Fremantle's senior side, putting himself at the head of a desperate queue as Fremantle steam towards finals.
The midfield bull made a spectacular return from a calf injury in the WAFL on Saturday and was Peel Thunder's best in wet, muddy conditions against Claremont, despite not playing much more than half a game.
Fyfe had five touches in a rainy opening term before exploding through the middle of the game, parked on the bench at the last change, having already collected 28 disposals, six tackles and five clearances.
His size and poise were a level above as he thrived on the close-quarters combat and slower pace, even if his disposal was rusty at times in the slippery conditions.
The midfielder had such an effect that dual Sandover medallist Jye Bolton was sent to curb the 33-year-old's influence.
Dockers young gun Cooper Simpson said having Fyfe invested in the Peel boys was a 'special' experience.
'We've got a very young group here at Peel, so to have an experienced player like him with the CV he's got, it's pretty special to play with him any time you can,' Simpson told The West Australian.
'He just adds a cool, calm, collected sort of vibe into that midfield, and when he's got the ball, you know he's going to make the right decision with it.
'It's awesome to have someone like him invested down here at Peel. The experience and knowledge that he has that he can pass on to us young boys is invaluable.'
Fyfe put the ball into the selectors' court with his display on Saturday and now opens the door for them to either stick with him at WAFL level and build his minutes, or take him to Adelaide to take on Port.
Simpson revealed he and the guys plying their trade with Peel, such as Brandon Walker and James Aish, would 'do anything' to get back in the side.
'I'm hungry as to get a spot back in that team,' he said.
'I'll do anything to get into that team as well as all the other boys. We're dying to get back into that team.
'Hopefully, we go far, but we're taking it one week at a time now.'
Fyfe was used in the sub role during his last return from injury earlier this year and could don the vest again in the last month of the home-and-away season.
He could even be used as an impact player for the Dockers in finals, supplying his experience and calm nature through the first half of finals before Justin Longmuir pulled the trigger on fresh legs.
Meanwhile, Simpson made it clear his shoulder was more than up to the task of AFL should he earn a recall after recovering from a brutal AC injury.
'I have full confidence in it that I can go out there and play my natural game,' he said.
'I've done a mountain of work with all the physios at the club and the doctors and the surgeons so going out there I feel confident in it.
'You've got to feel that big hit when you come back not only physically but mentally so you know that you can take that hit again and that's a big stepping stone (I've cleared).'