Nat Fyfe on his Brownlow success and the special role Ross Lyon played

The morning after his second Brownlow Medal win, the party was still going for Nat Fyfe. And the Freo skipper opened up on his old coach, his next one — and some potential trade targets.

The sleep was yet to come for Nat Fyfe but the accolades were coming thick and fast — even if they do “sit uncomfortably” with the Fremantle champ.

The morning after his second Brownlow Medal triumph, a bleary-eyed Fyfe was yet to fully come to grips with his latest achievement.

He had only briefly been in his hotel room — and that was to repeat that famous morning-after photo from four years earlier — but was quick to put to sleep talk his latest accolade had elevated him above all other Dockers.

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Nat Fyfe has won Brownlows in 2015 (left) and 2019.

Fyfe was quizzed on a range of issues on Tuesday morning. Here’s what the dual brownlow medallist had to say on:

HIS BROWNLOW CELEBRATIONS

“I was able to celebrate with the rest of the Fremantle players and a number of other players from across the competition,” he said.

“I ended up with Travis Boak and ... well, Travis.”

BEING LABELLED THE GREATEST-EVER DOCKER

“I think it’s premature,” he said.

“Matthew Pavlich is the greatest player to ever play for Fremantle, he took us to a grand final

“That’s something I want to do, I’ve never captained a final. I’ve got two Brownlows now and never captained our team to a final and I don’t have a premiership medallion.

“That’s wholeheartedly where my focus lies for next year and beyond.”

A young Fyfe with Matthew Pavlich with Lucas (7) from the Starlight Childrens Foundation

PROVING THE DOUBTERS WRONG

“Moments of self doubt crept in but I knew I could get back. Initially doubts and criticism hurt but you turn them into positives. I’ve dragged every ounce of motivation out of doubters. Initially they hurt but they only serve to motivate.

“It’s human nature (to read what people say), I think you try to screen yourself out as much as possible but these things find a way of getting to you, whether it be your own curiosity or people sending it to you.

“There’s a lot of cheap seats out there and people want to throw negativity towards you, and it’s important when you’re putting yourself out there in the arena you’re grabbing as much motivation as you can.”

ROSS LYON

“He was the first person I rang afterwards (on Monday night),” Fyfe revealed.

“I did a press conference by myself. Last time he sat right beside me and answered all the questions, so I missed it.

“I wanted him to be there, he’s been a big part of my career and played an important role in getting me to where I am today.

“So I rang him. He said he doesn’t often cry but he shed a couple of tears and was quite emotional.

“He’ll be a person that remains in my life for many years to come.”

Ross Lyon was a big influence on Fyfe. Pic: Getty Images

FREO’S NEXT COACH

“I’m as involved (in the appointment process) as (is) appropriate,” he said.

“As a player and captain I can’t be making executive calls but Peter Bell and I have been in regular contact throughout the process, meeting over the last couple of weeks and getting close to a short-list. He keeps me in the loop but ultimately it’s up to me, David Mundy, the other senior leaders to get on board with whoever our next senior coach is, and really driving our club forward in 2020.”

TRYING TO LURE GEELONG’S TIM KELLY

“I don’t think there’s financial barriers,” Fyfe said.

“I think he has a big decision to make. Does he want to play at Geelong? But then West Coast and Fremantle want him as well.

“I’d happily play alongside Tim Kelly.”

Fyfe arrives to speak to the media on Tuesday morning. Pic: Getty Images

POTENTIALLY LOSING BRAD HILL and ED LANGDON

“Brad Hill, I said that if I won the Brownlow he wasn’t able to leave,” Fyfe said.

“So he’ll be staying with us!

“We’ll see what happens, we’re hopeful of keeping both those players, but there is some water to go under the bridge there.”

THIS WEEK’S GRAND FINAL

“I’m going to sit on the fence,” he said.

“I think Richmond deserve to go in as favourites. They’ll be hard to beat with Dusty and (Tom) Lynch playing some incredible footy but (I’ve got a) soft spot for the Giants with Matty de Boer a close mate of mine playing up there.

“They’ve got their work cut out but they’re capable.”

Matt de Boer in his Freo days with Nat Fyfe.

WHO DE BOER SHOULD PLAY ON?

“I worked with Matty a little bit in the lead-up to the Collingwood game.

“I think this week he’ll probably have to have multiple roles. Dion Prestia’s been playing a pretty impressive, unheralded role in that midfield, Dusty’s Dusty — he’ll play forward a bit so probably a bit of time on both.

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“We are in a constant whatsapp group chat, constant back and forth about what’s going on.

“We help each other out where we can.”

WHAT NEXT?

“It hasn’t sunk in. Hopefully some sleep, I haven’t really slept yet.”

Originally published as Nat Fyfe on his Brownlow success and the special role Ross Lyon played