Fremantle Dockers superstar Nat Fyfe will make his long-awaited return for Peel Thunder in the WAFL this weekend, as confirmed by Fremantle head coach Justin Longmuir.

Fyfe has not played in 2022 due to a shoulder reconstruction that caused an interrupted pre-season, forcing a long-layoff for the gun midfielder.

The 30-year old will return through the WAFL rather than the AFL in order to ease the star back into the rigours of top level footy, according to Longmuir, speaking on 7NEWS Perth.

"We are going to look to return him through the WAFL. We think thatโ€™s probably the best progression for him, from training to building up into AFL footy, so he will return with Peel this week," Longmuir told 7NEWS.

"We will play him for about 90 minutes which is a good progression for him. I probably wonโ€™t give too much away about what positions he will play, but he will play a role that will allow him to adapt to the AFL.

"I think itโ€™s really important for him to go back and get some confidence, not only in his body, but confidence in his game.

"I think itโ€™s a good stepping stone back to the AFL and I have said all along we want to make sure we are building him in the right way to be able to have a real impact on the AFL in the second half of the season. We think that this does that best."

Longmuir confirmed that the star midfielder was a key instigator in the decision to return in the state league rather than the AFL.

"It was his idea, to be honest, he knows his body better than anyone and he knows his confidence," Longmuir stated.

"He thinks this is the right step for him to have a big crack at the second half of the year, so we just listened to him."

Fyfe would likely return to the senior side the week after if he gets through the Peel game unscathed, with the Dockers hosting Hawthorn at Optus Stadium.

"We havenโ€™t made a call on that but (returning to Fremantle next week) would probably be the best progression," Longmuir said.

"If he feels really confident and he feels like he has adapted really well and taken the hits and his fitness is at a good level, then we will be guided by him next week."

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 22: Nat Fyfe of the Dockers runs down the wing during the round 10 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Sydney Swans at Optus Stadium on May 22, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images, image courtesy of Kayo)

The Peel vs Subiaco match will be played at Leederville Oval on Saturday at 4:10 AEST (2:10 local Perth time) and can be streamed on the 7AFL app.