Nat Fyfe

Nat Fyfe flourishing up forward, puts the competition on notice

The two time Brownlow Medal winner is excelling in his new role.

Published by
Michael Georgiou

Nat Fyfe has made his full transformation into a forward target, starring in Fremantle's 31 point practice match win over Port Adelaide on Thursday.

The dual Brownlow medallist kicked three goals and had a game high eight score involvements from 14 disposals.

Two of his score involvements were direct to Matt Taberner, who finished with two goals.

Following up on his three goal effort against Adelaide in last Friday's match simulation, Fyfe has put any doubt in the minds of Freo fans to rest.

It was his ability to score from general play that made him dangerous. His first two goals came from check side kicks, while his third was real impressive, wrestling the ball off ruckman Scott Lycett, then fending off Darcy Byrne-Jones before finishing with another snap.

Speaking to Fox Footy pre-game, the former midfield bull said his move to the forward line was "a long time coming" and that he was working on finding "unconventional ways of scoring", it looks like that paid off.

His game had commentators predicting a big season for the rekindled star.

"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," Fremantle 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."

Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham also says there has been a change to Fyfe's mindset, allowing him to now flourish in the new position.

"I think there's been a real shift in mindset. He's been a great midfielder for so long, and he's changed his mindset and really embraced playing as a forward," he said.

"We've seen him grow every time he goes out. He gives us a great contest, he takes a good defender, he kicked his three goals, but he was also selfless and gave a couple off to Tabs at the end."

Former cross town rival Will Scofield says the forward line will structure around the 31-year-old who looks like a natural forward.

"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."

The Dockers head into round one having answered some questions about their forward line structure, one that includes Nat Fyfe and marking targets Matt Taberner and Luke Jackson (who missed the game).

Josh Treacy made a strong case for selection with two goals, while 19 year-old key forward Jye Amiss was a late out.

Throw in the likes of Michael Frederick and Michael Walters, Sam Sturt who featured both times this pre-season, and could come in for either, and former Cat Francis Evans who was also impressive.

Published by
Michael Georgiou