Fremantle captain Nathan Fyfe agrees to start contract talks with the Dockers

NATHAN Fyfe is certain to be a Fremantle player for life after finally agreeing to start contract talks with the club. But how much will his deal be worth?

Nathan Fyfe will stay at Fremantle. Picture: Getty Images

NATHAN Fyfe is certain to be a Fremantle player for life after finally agreeing to start contract talks.

Fyfe had held off contract discussions until midyear and had spent the last few weeks over the bye considering his future.

But in the last two days he finally came to a decision that he wanted to stay at Fremantle.

His manager Jason Dover confirmed to the Herald Sun on Wednesday night he had been instructed to start talks with the Dockers.

That deal could still be some weeks off given the length and terms of a contract is not yet decided.

But a five-year deal at around $1.1-$1.2 million a season would be a likely starting point for one of the brightest stars of the game.

Fyfe, 25, is a marketable franchise star for a Dockers side trying to quickly rebound after a dramatic fall down the ladder last year.

The Dockers are aware Fyfe has been playing hurt for six weeks, battered and bruised as he played with an injured sternum.

Nathan Fyfe in action for Fremantle. Picture: Getty Images

He rested that injury last week after playing with a protective guard before the bye, when the sternum injury flared up in a fall against Brisbane.

The Dockers know the quality of their inspirational leader and new captain, aware he was playing under severe duress.

Rivals including St Kilda had dropped off in recent months, aware he was likely to stay at Fremantle.

He said ahead of a return to football against St Kilda on Sunday he was keen to stay at the club.

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“Now that a CBA has been finalised all parties are in a better position to be able to sit down and work it out and I am quite hopeful that something will be done in the coming weeks,” he said.

“I think it is pretty close.”

The Dockers will also welcome back Aaron Sandilands against St Kilda and hope Harley Bennell will be back at Peel Thunder within two weeks after long-running calf issues.