By Justin Chadwick
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is backing Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters to play on next year, and he’s confident Sean Darcy can get on top of his injury concerns.
The Dockers’ season of promise ended in devastating fashion on Sunday when their 13.9 (87) to 9.13 (67) loss against Port Adelaide consigned them to 10th spot.
Michael Walters walks from the field with Nat Fyfe and Alex Pearce after their defeat. Credit: Getty Images
A win would have been enough to secure finals action, but the result summed up Fremantle’s season - competitive throughout but lacking the killer punch when needed.
Out of the eight games decided by 13 points or less, Fremantle only won one of them.
Against Port on Sunday, Fremantle were within two points halfway through the final quarter before conceding the final three goals of the match.
Longmuir said his team’s inability to execute under pressure against the best sides was the reason they missed finals.
Late-season injuries to Alex Pearce (arm), Josh Treacy (knee) and Darcy (knee) also hurt their cause as the Dockers tumbled from third to 10th.
Darcy managed just 12 games this year on the back of 15 the season before.
The 26-year-old, who is contracted until 2030, may need surgery to fix his latest knee issue.
But Longmuir feels the 203cm ruckman will be able to have an impact in 2025 and beyond.
“I’m really confident he can get his body right, get his fitness right, and play a lot of footy for us,” Longmuir said.
“I think [Liam] Reidy really applied himself well the last couple of weeks, and if he can keep working on his craft, we’ve got a really strong back up there.”
Fyfe and Walters are both contracted for next year.
Although Fyfe managed 22 games this year - the equal most of his career - he is now a fringe member of the midfield rather than the star who won two Brownlows.
Concerns over Fyfe’s kicking have also been a common theme this year, but his big body in the clearances is still considered a weapon.
Walters managed just 17 goals in 17 games this year, and was twice cut down by hamstring injuries in the second half of the season.
Longmuir said Walters and Fyfe were contracted for next year. He said Fyfe had played an important role and Walters had had injury interruptions, and when both were fully fit, they were impactful players.
Fremantle will now turn their attention to luring a key X-factor player who could help push the side to premiership glory.
Sydney star Chad Warner and Richmond speedster Shai Bolton have both been heavily linked to the Dockers.
Warner is contracted until the end of 2025, Bolton 2028.
It’s understood Bolton has indicated his desire to return home to WA, but Warner could be harder to pry from flag contenders Sydney.
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