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AFL stars Jack Riewoldt, Nat Fyfe, Josh Dunkley channel James Bond for Footy20 magazine

It is some of footy’s top players like you’ve never seen them — in a Daniel Craig-inspired shoot that shows a very different side to dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe, Tigers star Jack Riewoldt and Bulldogs young gun Josh Dunkley. Here’s why.

Nat Fyfe at Crown Towers Perth for the cover of the Herald Sun’s Footy20 magazine, out on February 29. Picture: Richard Hatherly
Nat Fyfe at Crown Towers Perth for the cover of the Herald Sun’s Footy20 magazine, out on February 29. Picture: Richard Hatherly

As Daniel Craig suits up for what is likely to be his final turn as 007 in No Time to Die, some of our AFL stars show they have what it takes to be the world’s top globetrotting spy — at least in the style stakes.

And the results of our exclusive shoot may surprise — from high-flying Tiger Jack Riewoldt to debonair young Bulldog Josh Dunkley and smouldering Dockers captain Nat Fyfe.

While the Freo captain looks very comfortable in his own skin, Victorian pair Riewoldt and Dunkley relished rocking a sharp suit — and in Riewoldt’s case, the trademark sunnies — re‑enacting some memorable Bond scenes.

But maybe they weren’t all channelling the current 007 in the exclusive pictures, which were shot on location at Crown Melbourne and Perth for the cover of the Herald Sun FOOTY20 magazine.

Richmond star Jack Riewoldt in a James Bond-inspired shoot for the Herald Sun Footy20 season preview magazine at Crown Towers, with Microflite Helicopters. Picture: Alex Coppel.
Richmond star Jack Riewoldt in a James Bond-inspired shoot for the Herald Sun Footy20 season preview magazine at Crown Towers, with Microflite Helicopters. Picture: Alex Coppel.

While Fyfe’s shoot was inspired by Daniel Craig in Casino Royale, both Riewoldt and Dunkley agreed their favourite Bond was the ever-so-suave Pierce Brosnan.

If dual Brownlow medallist Fyfe was concerned about “putting himself out there” during the Footy20 cover shoot at Crown Perth, he wasn’t showing it.

Fyfe, the son of a trucker and known for his eloquent Brownlow acceptance speeches, is far too self-aware to be surprised and far too self-assured to be concerned.

FOOTY20 MAGAZINE: HOW TO GET YOUR ULTIMATE AFL 2020 SEASON PREVIEW AND GUIDE

Though the shoot was inspired by Daniel Craig’s James Bond, Riewoldt says his favourite Bond was Pierce Brosnan. Picture: Alex Coppel.
Though the shoot was inspired by Daniel Craig’s James Bond, Riewoldt says his favourite Bond was Pierce Brosnan. Picture: Alex Coppel.

It helps when you’re arguably the number one player in the game, franked by an undeniable toughness and complemented by easy-on-the-eye, country boy charisma.

“I have got a few sharp edges,” Fyfe says in the 116-page FOOTY20 magazine, which is out on Saturday. “I’m quite a driven individual.”

In Footy20, Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe reveals the different mood at the Dockers under new coach Justin Longmuir. Picture: Richard Hatherly
In Footy20, Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe reveals the different mood at the Dockers under new coach Justin Longmuir. Picture: Richard Hatherly

But he’s also a little bemused by Aussie sport culture, noting that individual ambition and team goals can coexist.

“We are encouraged from a really early age to be team-first and not individually ambitious in a public setting,” he says.

“It’s quite different from countries like America, who really encourage players to go after individual performance, which brings team success.”

In his fourth year as Freo captain, he pledges to be “less manufactured” in his leadership and truer to himself as the team rebuilds under rookie coach Justin Longmuir.

Bulldog Josh Dunkley suits up at Crown Towers for our James Bond-inspired shoot for the Footy20 magazine, out on Saturday. Picture: Alex Coppel.
Bulldog Josh Dunkley suits up at Crown Towers for our James Bond-inspired shoot for the Footy20 magazine, out on Saturday. Picture: Alex Coppel.
The shoot is a change of pace for young Bulldog Josh Dunkley. Picture: Alex Coppel.
The shoot is a change of pace for young Bulldog Josh Dunkley. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Also in the FOOTY20 magazine, Herald Sun experts give their verdict on the season ahead, the players to watch and who they think will be holding the Premiership Cup in 2020.

FOOTY20 asks the questions we all want to know: Are Damien Hardwick and the Tigers on the verge of a dynasty? Can the Blues maintain the momentum aboard the Teague Train? Which coach is most under pressure?

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Pick up a copy for just $4.95 only when you buy the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun from Saturday, February 29 to Wednesday, April 1, from participating newsagents and IGA stores.

(Max price magazine and paper is $7.95).

Originally published as AFL stars Jack Riewoldt, Nat Fyfe, Josh Dunkley channel James Bond for Footy20 magazine

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/afl-stars-jack-riewoldt-nat-fyfe-josh-dunkley-channel-james-bond-for-footy20-magazine/news-story/78606b8ed0b4a0e3e32f5442dd45d917