Fremantle Dockers star Nat Fyfe gets coach’s votes for his stunning performance against Western Bulldogs

Fremantle star Andrew Brayshaw declared Nat Fyfe’s physical presence was a sight to behold on Saturday night while marvelling at the impact the dual Brownlow medallist has had on the team’s midfield this season.

Fyfe turned back the clock against the Bulldogs with 37 disposals, seven clearances and one goal in a display that saw him rewarded with nine votes in the AFL Coaches Association Award. That tally means either Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir or Dogs coach Luke Beveridge rated Fyfe as best on ground. Caleb Serong also received nine votes.

It was the first time Fyfe had received votes in that award since round 17, 2022. The former Fremantle captain featured consistently in the voting when he was at his peak, finishing runner up in both 2014 and 2015, and also placing third in 2019.

Brayshaw said it was obvious from early in Saturday night’s game that Fyfe was playing at a different level.

“The physical presence, you could just feel it. He was imposing himself on the contest. He had a presence about him,” Brayshaw said.

“He’s been training really well. He’s still one of the leaders of the club and he leads by his actions. He’s always been super physical, really strong in the contest and really aggressive.

“I was just stoked to see him perform like he did on the weekend. He works so hard on the training track and at the club. To see him perform like that was a reward for effort.”

Fyfe has again become an integral part of Fremantle’s midfield this season after the Dockers attempted to play him more as a forward in 2023.

His bigger body has transformed their centre square and Fyfe is ranked equal seventh in the league for clearances. Brayshaw said he’d had a profound influence on Fremantle’s ability to compete in congestion and eased the pressure on the rest of the group.

He said the addition of the 192cm Fyfe and 188cm Hayden Young had given Fremantle a taller and stronger onball department which had allowed himself and Caleb Serong to play to their strengths.

“Caleb probably did a lot of our heavy lifting last year inside and Fyfey has probably balanced that out a fair bit,” he said.

“Youngy now coming into the midfield full-time has been able to do that as well. It gives me a bit of breathing room to be able to go on the outside a little bit which is nice.”