AFL 2022: Fremantle star Nat Fyfe yet to test his shoulder ahead of round 1

Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe could have played in a practice match but didn’t as questions linger over his round 1 presence.

Questions remain over the fitness of Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe has gave the best indication yet that he will be fit for round 1 despite not being able to guarantee he will lead his team out against Adelaide.

The two-time Brownlow Medallist has endured multiple setbacks following reconstructive shoulder surgery last July and was finally passed fit to play in a match last week.

But he skipped the pre-season showdown with West Coast as part of a risk-free approach and said he was not yet locked in for the first game against the Crows on March 20.

“We’re taking a round 1 is not on or off the table approach,” Fyfe said on Wednesday.

“Because I’ve had to push so hard over the last two months to get the rest of my body up to speed, we’re just waiting for it to consolidate and making sure there’s no soft-tissue injury risks.

“The upside really wasn’t there, and we decided a few more weeks of strength into my shoulder was only going to be better for it.

“The shoulder will be fine for round 1, it’s just whether the rest of the body is right to go.”

Nat Fyfe is still no certainty for round 1. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Fyfe hasn’t played since round 17 last season but has been in full-contact training preparing himself for a return to play.

The Dockers twice took care of an injury-depleted West Coast outfit in practice games and Fyfe liked what he saw.

He was adamant the Dockers were a “more professional outfit” headed in to 2022 and ready to build on last year’s 10-win season.

“Our hardness in the contest has improved but pre-season games give you basically zero information, so we can’t take anything from our two games against West Coast,” Fyfe said.

“The standard of training we’ve seen from our players across pre-season indicates to me that we’re a more professional and harder outfit. The season proper will tell whether that’s actually true.

“We’re doing everything we can to ensure that we’re better than we were last year.”