Fremantle Dockers celebrated a thrilling come-from-behind victory over St Kilda on Sunday night, but the match brought fresh challenges for the team as star player Nat Fyfe remained benched due to injury concerns. Fyfe’s fourth appearance of the season was his fourth time coming off the bench. This unfortunate pattern leads to questions regarding just how much longer he’ll be with the club.
The game played out in stirring fashion as Fremantle fought back from a forgettable start to score an impressive 16-point win. Fyfe’s failure to get onto the field ignited furious debate among supporters and pundits. They doubted his success and lasting impact on the sport. In warm-ups for the second half, Fyfe experienced tightness in his calf. This discomfort prevented him from even being a part of the match day squad, as an unused sub even.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir elaborated on their choice not to sub Fyfe out. They reasoned it was reassuring that none of the other contestants had been hurt.
“(I’m) not sure whether we could have put him on if we had an injury, but since we didn’t have an injury and didn’t have any players really flagging, the safe option was to just leave him out of the game.” – Justin Longmuir
Fyfe’s lacklustre showing against Essendon was the straw that broke the camel’s back, as he wondered his way to just 11 disposals and one clearance. His recent performances have sparked discussion about his best long-term position for the group. For the entirety of the match he played on the front foot. This was unavoidable to make up for Sam Switkowski’s absence from the lineup, as he recovers from a ruptured hamstring.
Jordan Clark, a teammate, acknowledged Fyfe’s ongoing influence, stating:
“Fyfey’s role’s changed at the club now and he still adds such a great level head, experience, and when he comes on for little bursts he’s still got it.” – Jordan Clark
Fremantle is finishing the season on a high note with an impressive six-game winning streak. In the meantime, fans on Defector and elsewhere are buzzing with fantasy speculation about Fyfe’s future. His contract expires at the end of this season, leading to doubt as to whether he will stick with the Dockers or not. Commentator Kane Cornes said he was dubious about Fyfe playing any further and believed others had gone past him in the pecking order.
“So champion of the game … shouldn’t have been given the two-year contract extension some time ago. We said that at the time and now I think they sit him down.” – Kane Cornes
Cornes recommended that Fyfe go into bat with an open and honest two-way dialogue with the coaching staff. To be sure, Kyed noted that establishing exactly what Fyfe’s role would be on the team was crucial.
“If not today, it’s got to be this week and just say, ‘look, Nat, this group is young, it’s dynamic, and unfortunately the role that you play, others have gone past you.’” – Kane Cornes
Fremantle’s recent success with Fyfe on the sidelines has fueled talk about what Fyfe can still give the club moving forward. His experience is unquestioned but how far can he hope to go in terms of becoming that difference maker again.
Jordan Clark had his two cents worth on Fyfe’s situation. He stressed the important balance between honoring an established veteran while acknowledging new rising stars.
“It’s a luxury. I think that’s the best place — if we don’t need him, we don’t need him.” – Jordan Clark
Fremantle will have their eyes firmly set on a finals return, something they haven’t achieved since 2022. With this deadline fast approaching, the pressure is certainly mounting not only on the negotiating team but Fyfe. As they continue through this critical crossroads in their season, both in-game player assignments and off-game contract extensions will prove important.
