Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe’s eagerly anticipated return to AFL has been some of the scrutinised tales in Western Australian soccer this season.
A lot of the dialogue was round the place he would play on the sphere and whether or not he might match right into a staff that was firing on all cylinders with out disrupting its stability.
“He’s a big-bodied participant, he is had numerous seasons by the center,” former West Coast premiership coach Mick Malthouse stated on ABC Perth’s Sports activities Discuss program on Saturday morning.
“Fremantle has been troubled within the moist in opposition to greater our bodies.
“That is the place you’ve gotten him within the center, however outdoors of that you most likely need to play him ahead, you could possibly even play him off half-back.
“There’s numerous juggling.”
These questions had been answered a number of hours later as the twin Brownlow Medallist took on Hawthorn in his first AFL sport in nearly a 12 months, after shoulder surgical procedure and a again harm derailed his pre-season.
Over the previous 5 years, Fyfe has performed predominantly within the midfield, with 16 per cent of his sport time spent as a ahead.
He was named within the ahead pocket on the Dockers staff sheet, however began the sport within the centre in opposition to Hawks gun Tom Mitchell, and had an influence on the opening bounce.
His first stint in assault got here with eight minutes remaining within the first quarter, and he offered the ultimate handball in Lachie Schultz’s first objective.
It was a strong return from Fyfe, as he collected 22 disposal and 6 clearances, and kicked a objective.
His feedback after the sport highlighted how the staff had advanced whereas he was injured.
“It isn’t the identical as after I completed enjoying final time,” Fyfe stated on Fox Footy.
“I stated to Caleb (Serong) and Andy (Brayshaw) ‘deal with me like a primary gamer, inform me the place to go, set me up.’
“And so they did that. They advised me the place to arrange at stoppages and that was a pleasant feeling.”
His setpiece objective kicking left one thing to be desired, however his dimension, energy and marking prowess nonetheless made him a risk in assault.
Fyfe’s return had raised the suggestion both Brayshaw, Serong or Will Brodie can be squeezed out of the midfield, however Brayshaw and Serong specifically appeared unaffected by his presence.
Brayshaw completed with 37 disposals and a objective, whereas Serong collected 33 touches, together with a profession excessive 20 contested possessions.
Brodie was strong with 22 disposals, whereas veteran David Mundy spent a while on the wing, and completed with 23 touches.
Fremantle have a bye subsequent weekend, and indicated in the course of the week that Fyfe would not return to Peel Thunder regardless of having solely performed two video games on his return from harm.
How a lot influence he has on the premiership ambitions of the Dockers will change into clearer as he builds his health, and the facet adjusts to his presence.
