Fremantle veteran Michael Walters has backed Nat Fyfe to get via Saturday evening’s AFL conflict with Hawthorn even when he is subbed into the motion sooner than deliberate.
The Dockers have confirmed that Fyfe shall be named because the tactical sub for the Optus Stadium encounter in what shall be his first look since spherical one.
A painful case of plantar fasciitis has grounded Fyfe over the previous six weeks.
But with the Dockers’ finals hopes on skinny ice at 2-5, the two-time Brownlow medallist shall be introduced straight again via the senior crew as a substitute of a carefully-managed run within the WAFL.
The transfer comes with dangers, and Fremantle shall be hoping to keep away from any early accidents in opposition to Hawthorn to make sure Fyfe would not enter the fray too early.
Walters, who returned from an Achilles harm by way of the sub function in spherical two, is backing Fyfe to thrive regardless of how lengthy he’s wanted.
“The plan is for him to come on when scheduled,” Walters advised reporters on Friday.
“But there’s no doubt he’ll be ready to go if there was an injury
“We will not convey somebody in for the sub except they’re absolutely able to play a full recreation if want be. He’s positively prepared.”
The exact role Fyfe will play when he runs on remains a mystery.
Fremantle wanted Fyfe to play as a full-time forward this year, but coach Justin Longmuir is now open to injecting the 31-year-old back into the midfield to help fix the club’s clearance and contested ball woes.
Whether Fyfe would be ready for a midfield role in his first game back remains to be seen, but the axing of Will Brodie opens the door for the former skipper to play a role in there.
Walters praised Fyfe’s leadership this year.
“Even although he isn’t captain or within the management group, his management all through the membership, each day, has been unreal,” Walters mentioned.
“He’s been educating these midfielders little crafts right here or there to get higher.
“But also coming up forward, he’s just been a sponge.
“He’s been making an attempt to be taught as a lot as he can. Even although he is been right here for 14 years, he is nonetheless making an attempt to get higher.”
Hawthorn (1-6) enter Saturday’s clash without Changkuoth Jiath (managed) and Luke Breust (managed), while last week’s debutant Max Ramsden was dropped.
Former Dockers ruckman Lloyd Meek has been named to take on his old club, while Connor Macdonald and Jack Scrimshaw were also included in the 22.
Fremantle welcome back Michael Frederick from an adductor injury, and handed spearhead Josh Treacy a recall.
Matthew Johnson goes out via suspension, whereas Brodie and Sam Sturt have been axed.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
