Frightening Fyfe ‘firepower’ laid bare, Port gun’s injury scare

The Nat Fyfe forward experiment received a big tick on Thursday night, with the Fremantle superstar looking back to his best.

Nathan Fyfe and Mitch Georgiades.

The Nat Fyfe forward experiment received another big tick on Thursday night, with the Fremantle superstar starring in his side’s convincing practice match win over Port Adelaide.

Fyfe booted three goals and had a direct hand in two others as the Dockers ran out 31-point winners.

The Power threatened to run over the top of the Dockers after a fast start to the fourth quarter, but Fremantle steadied late to win 13.14 (92) to 8.13 (61).

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If Fremantle fans had any concerns over how superstar Fyfe would fit into the forward mix permanently, they needn’t fear.

For the dual Brownlow Medallist is not only fit and firing a fortnight out from Round 1, he appears primed to have a significant impact close to goal.

After an impressive three-goal outing in last week’s match simulation against Adelaide, Fyfe put in another sharp and promising performance on Friday against the Power, booting another three goals from 14 disposals and six marks. Most importantly, eight of Fyfe’s 14 touches ended up in Dockers scores.

Speaking to Fox Footy pre-game, Fyfe said his move into the forward line had been “a long time coming” and that he’d been working on finding “unconventional ways of scoring”. And all of his three goals were conjured unconventionally.

Nat Fyfe of the Dockers. Picture: James Worsfold

His first two majors came from checkside kicks, where he impressed with his ability to stay involved in the contest at ground level then finish cleanly. Then he showed terrific strength in the third term, ripping the ball off Port ruckman Scott Lycett, fending off another Power opponent and snapping another great goal.

Just as importantly, Fyfe directly set up two goals to teammate Matt Taberner in the final quarter.

Fyfe’s game had Fox Footy’s commentators believing the Dockers champion could have a big season.

“Is this the year he plays a permanent key forward role and kicks 40 or 50 goals? “I know a lot of Fremantle supporters at home would be hoping that’s the case,” Dockers legend Matthew Pavlich told Fox Footy.

“It sounds like he’s in a much better mindset than he was 12 months ago after coming off back surgery and shoulder issues – almost turmoil with where he was at.

“It’s a mindset thing for Nat Fyfe knowing that he doesn’t need to touch the ball 30 times to have a significant impact for his team. He can block, help, kick a couple of goals, run, pressure and only really have seven or eight touches in a half.”

Premiership Eagle Will Schofield said he enjoyed watching Fyfe’s forward craft from ground level.

Nat Fyfe of the Dockers. Picture: James Worsfold

“He’s moving like a forward,” Schofield told Fox Footy.

“He’s been up, he’s been back, he’s been deep and he’s been that link players as well.

“People might forget he’s won two Brownlow Medals, he’s a quality player and looking really dangerous for the Freo Dockers.

“He has looked fantastic. There’s been questions about Fremantle’s forward line and how it’ll structure up, you can see it’s around Nat Fyfe.

“He’s going to be such a livewire down there for them and give them some real firepower.

Originally published as Frightening Fyfe ‘firepower’ laid bare, Port gun’s injury scare