Where Nat Fyfe sits at Fremantle 10 weeks out from potential finals series

Nat Fyfe deserves the chance to add to his incredible legacy and play his first finals series since 2015. But Eliza Reilly writes, it’s over to Justin Longmuir to get him there.

Fremantle enjoyed a sizeable but expected win over Essendon on Thursday night.

At the end of it, we’re not much clearer on the role a much-loved veteran could play in Fremantle’s finals aspirations.

For the first time this season, Nat Fyfe was picked in the Dockers’ starting 22.

It came after back-to-back cameos as substitute; a role he played to perfection.

In Fyfe’s first game of the year following pre-season knee surgery and a hamstring setback, the 33-year-old was injected into the game at three-quarter-time and won seven disposals in the final term.

Nat Fyfe’s role at Freo going forward isn’t clear. Picture: Getty Images

His impact wasn’t enormous but it was crucial in the dying stages of a close game, attending five centre bounces for one clearance and three contested possessions.

The following game post-bye, Fyfe replaced Neil Erasmus during the third quarter. Again, it went down to the wire and again, Fyfe was valuable with nine disposals (all handballs), two clearances and two score involvements.

Justin Longmuir indicated in his midweek press conference that Fyfe would need a full game eventually, whether that was at AFL or WAFL level.

That call was made on Thursday night ahead of a bout with the Bombers and it yielded Fremantle and Fyfe 11 touches in a little more than three quarters.

It would be a bold call to write off a champion and it’s clear that Fyfe is still building after an interrupted start to the season. But it’s undoubtedly a big 10 weeks for the two-time Brownlow Medallist.

Against Essendon, Fyfe started inside 50. He did push up to stoppages once the ball was in motion and took a few hits and blocks for his teammates at the contest.

But Fyfe was rarely sighted at centre bounces, a big change in pace from his role as a full-time midfielder last year.

The Fremantle veteran played game 243 against Essendon. Picture: Getty Images

Around the ground, Fyfe was a touch fumbly. In three quarters, he had six handballs and two kicks, improving that ratio to five kicks and six handballs in a midfield burst early in the final term.

It looked like kicking the footy was the last resort. Three of them were effective, including spotting up Murphy Reid on the lead in his final act before being subbed off early in the fourth term.

Champion Data said Fyfe finished the game with a rating of 0. He was rated 2.6 and 0.6 in his last two outings against North Melbourne and Gold Coast in a fraction of the time.

If Fyfe is having less impact in three quarters at half-forward than in one quarter as a midfielder, Fremantle need to figure out quickly where he fits into the purple puzzle for the rest of the season.

Fyfe was once a firestarter. But now he offers more as a finisher.

The Dockers doyen was beaming when he came from the field to swap places with good mate Aish. The pair are two of Fremantle’s most experienced players in a squad that was the youngest in the competition in the first half of the season.

2025 might not be Fyfe’s last year. Picture: Getty Images

Fyfe is reportedly open to the idea of playing on in 2026 if he can continue to string together games and find form. But first, he has an opportunity to add to his incredible legacy and play in his first finals series since 2015.

Fyfe deserves that and so does the AFL viewing public. But it’s evident that his days as a dominant midfielder are no longer.

It’s over to Justin Longmuir to find a role that optimises his strengths while hiding his weakness. His teammates love playing with him and believe he has more to offer.

“He’s the ultimate professional,” Shai Bolton said post-game. “When he’s in the team, we play our best footy as well.

“All the boys just want to get up and going for him. He’s a legend of this club and it’s good to have him back.

“Even off-field he has a massive impact. He uses his voice and leadership. But he’s willing to learn as well. He’s an amazing person and an amazing leader.”

The show’s not over but the curtain call is nigh.

Originally published as Where Nat Fyfe sits at Fremantle 10 weeks out from potential finals series