Fremantle Dockers

Fyfe, Freo talls thrive in scratch-match flex over Eagles

The Dockers will take a full-strength side to Adelaide for their second pre-season fixture.

Published by
Zero Hanger

Fremantle veteran Nat Fyfe fired upon his return to the midfield on Saturday evening, leading a full-throttle engine room that connected well with the Dockers' tall forwards.

While no points were on the line at Mineral Resources Park, Fyfe and the Dockers would run out 52-point leaders, thanks largely to the dual Brownlow medallist's dominance in the middle of the park.

Alongside burgeoning admirals in Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Matthew Johnson, Fyfe worked conspicuously inside the contest, releasing runners to connect with the tall timber further afield.

“Naturally he makes those walk a bit taller around him when he's in that mode of winning the ball,” head coach Justin Longmuir said of his superstar post-game.

“I thought we saw that at times today, and there were some contests around the ground where he was able to be really clean and feed the outside.

“He's been really diligent and been able to add layers to his own game because he can't just be the bash and crash player he used to be.

"We've got other guys that can help him in that area, so we've got to make sure we spread the load.”

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 13: Nathan Fyfe and Sean Darcy of the Dockers talk during a Fremantle Dockers AFL training session at Victor George Kallis Oval on January 13, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

Across the evening, future star Jye Amiss booting three of Fremantle's 14 goals, with Josh Treacy and uber-talented Luke Jackson adding two each.

While Amiss made his senior debut in 2022, slotting four goals in three starts, the Busselton native broke out last season, booting an eye-catching 41 goals across his 22 appearances at an impressive accuracy of 70.7 per cent.

“To get that mix of talls (Luke Jackson, Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy) working together is probably the first time we've had it over the pre-season as a whole and they will only build from that,” Longmuir added.

Fyfe only featured in the opening two segments of the contest, with the legendary figure earning an early break alongside Sam Switkowski and fellow veteran Michael Walters.

But less than a month out from Fremantle's opening fixture against Brisbane at Optus Stadium, Longmuir revealed he would be naming a full-strength side for the Dockers' second and final pre-season hitout.

“We will use next week as a proper hit out towards round one,” Longmuir expressed.

“You would have noticed there were a lot of guys managed today, whether it was halftime or three quarter time.

“Next week we will set them up to get a full game together.”

The Dockers will make the trip to Alberton to face Port Adelaide next Friday before playing host to the Lions on Sunday, March 17.

Published by
Zero Hanger