Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe got through Saturday's Peel Thunder appearance unscathed as the two-time Brownlow medallist eyes an AFL return.
The 30-year-old played 87 minutes in Peel's six-point win over Subiaco at Leederville Oval, collecting 24 disposals in midfield and showing no signs of being hampered by recent back and shoulder setbacks.
While Fyfe himself admitted he is still feeling limited in his abilities, the veteran star backed the Dockers' call to bring him back through the WAFL.
"I felt a long way off my best and this gave me a good stepping stone back to AFL … it was the right call," he said post-game.
"It's going to take five or six weeks to get back feeling really comfortable. There were a couple of times where I reached for the ball and my shoulder didn't quite feel how I remember it two operations ago.
"So I've got a little bit of touch and craft to get back. (But) it feels like I've got no real niggles in my joints, back or shoulder. I feel good."
Fyfe played a majority of the game in the middle, attending every centre bounce when on the field.
The contested ball-winner even gained a run-with role from former Swan Harry Marsh, which offered a welcomed challenge for a "rusty" Fyfe.
"To have a run-with role and a few big collisions gives me some good confidence in my shoulder," he said.
"I started to find my feet a bit at stoppage and contest and started to read it OK in the air, but pretty much everything felt rusty.
"Clearly I've got some work to do in front of goal. But outside of that, most of today was just get some minutes under my belt.
"My role will look to evolve as I get back to form in the AFL."
Fremantle are scheduled to host Hawthorn at Optus Stadium next Saturday in what may see Fyfe make his first AFL appearance since Round 19 last year.
Should Justin Longmuir seek more attention on Fyfe's pathway back into the senior side, the midfielder may have to wait until Round 15 after his side's bye.
The Dockers will face Carlton at Marvel Stadium in a return from their mid-season break, which would see a fresher Fyfe come into the frame against a fellow finals contender.