Nat Fyfe says being named Fremantle captain won’t affect his decision on free agency

NAT Fyfe says being named captain ‘doesn’t change anything’ in relation to his free agency decision and has welcomed the ‘chaos’ of constant contract speculation.

Dockers captain Nat Fyfe.

NAT Fyfe says being named captain ‘doesn’t change anything’ in relation to his decision over a potential new deal at Fremantle or leaving as a free agent.

Fyfe was named Dockers captain this week, replacing David Mundy who served only one season in the role.

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The decision comes as Fyfe enters the final year of his contract at Fremantle, with rival clubs looking to pounce on the star midfielder should he remain unsigned as the year wears on. Rumours have already circulated that Melbourne teams including Carlton and St Kilda have a war chest ready to make a huge offer to the restricted free agent.

Nat Fyfe’s contract will be one of the biggest stories of 2017.

Fyfe said today he wouldn’t be rushing to sign a new deal but Dockers fans shouldn’t panic.

“I think that speculation is only natural given I haven’t signed a contract yet, but I’ve stated all along I see my future as being with Fremantle,” he said on SEN radio.

“I’ve always signed my contracts in the mid to late part of the last year of my contract and that was always going to be the case. The captaincy doesn’t change anything in that regard.

“I look forward to captaining Freo this year and I want to play my football with Freo.”

Fyfe said constant talk about his future wouldn’t be a distraction — and could even be a positive for the Dockers.

“I’ll monitor it closely and if I feel at any point it’s affecting me or, more importantly the team or the club, I’ll look to do something pretty quickly.

“There is an element of motivation that you do draw out of the chaos that goes on with that speculation, and if you can turn it into some positive fuel to play better footy then I’m all for it.”

Fyfe said Fremantle made the right call on the captaincy 12 months ago — “David was the best man for the job” — but the changing face of the list and the club’s place in the AFL pecking order was behind a move for a younger leadership team.

He said his body was feeling good after missing most of last season with a broken leg.

“I played a scratch match yesterday, about 80min worth, and the leg feels fine so I’m excited for Round 1.

And he said watching Patrick Dangerfield take his mantle as the game’s No.1 player was added motivation for his return.

“I enjoyed watching Paddy ... and no doubt I used that as motivation at different points throughout my rehab. Thankfully we get to play each other in Round 1.”

Originally published as Nat Fyfe says being named Fremantle captain won’t affect his decision on free agency