Nat Fyfe and Dustin Martin set to face off as Dockers captain nears his best, says Matthew Pavlich

TWO top picks for this year’s Brownlow Medal will go head-to-head on the MCG, with former Dockers captain Matthew Pavlich of the belief that Nat Fyfe is closing in on his best.

Nat Fyfe battles Jack Redden for the ball.

TWO top picks for this year’s Brownlow Medal will go head-to-head on the MCG today as Nat Fyfe edges closer to his best form.

Fyfe, 26, is averaging 30.6 disposals per game this season — up on his 2015 Brownlow-winning year when he produced an average of 28.8 per game — and his Fremantle predecessor Matthew Pavlich believes the skipper is closing in on his best-ever form.

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Pavlich, who captained the Dockers between 2007 and 2015, said Fyfe is reaping the benefits of time, having missed all but five games of the 2016 season after breaking his leg twice in eight months.

“He missed an entire season of footy, had two broken legs and had a long time away from football training — it’s all well and good to train, but when you don’t train as much or if you miss a whole year of footy, it does take a while,” the Fox Footy commentator said.

Nat Fyfe holds himself to high standards, says Matthew Pavlich. Picture: Getty Images

“He was solid last year — he finished third in the best-and-fairest and he was a very good contributor, but he’s really hit his straps so far this year.

“It came off the back of that International Rules Series (at the end of last year) as well where he really had a great series, won the Jim Stynes medal and he’s really starting to show his best form again.

“He’s such a talented and gifted athlete with his size and ability to run, he’s now put 12 months of really solid training and footy behind him so he’s getting very close to his best.”

When Fyfe took on the captaincy last season, Pavlich said he believed the 26-year-old may take a little time to “find his groove”, but that — watching from outside — he seemed to be doing just that.

Reigning Brownlow Medallist Dustin Martin. Picture: Michael Klein

Fyfe could face off with last year’s Brownlow winner Dustin Martin in Sunday’s clash with Richmond — a prospect Tigers coach Damien Hardwick refused to be drawn on this week.

But it’s a tantalising one for Pavlich, whose football knowledge was fed by such tantalising duels during the 1990s.

“I grew up watching wonderful battles in the 90s, whether that was a forward versus a back or gun midfielders going head-to-head,” Pavlich recalled.

“It doesn’t quite happen that way quite as much anymore but hopefully they do spend some time on each other.

“It’d be two very elite players of the competition going head to head — it’d be great to watch.”

Originally published as Nat Fyfe and Dustin Martin set to face off as Dockers captain nears his best, says Matthew Pavlich