Former AFL coach Rodney Eade says he wouldn’t be rushing Nat Fyfe back into the side with Fremantle on the brink of making finals. 

The dual Brownlow medallist is due to be available to play in this weekend’s Western Derby after showing positive signs during physical testing in the Captain’s Run ahead of last weekend’s clash against Collingwood. 

The 33-year-old has spent almost a month on the sidelines after injuring his calf pregame against St Kilda while warming up as the sub. 

Before this, Fyfe had an interrupted preseason after undergoing knee surgery, and then strained his hamstring in the WAFL upon return from said surgery. 

In the three AFL matches he played this season, Fyfe struggled to have an impact and was either substituted on or off in each game. 

With numerous factors at hand surrounding Fyfe’s form and injuries, Eade says it’s not worth Fremantle selecting him with finals at stake. 

“What I’ve seen, what he’s been able to do or not do, I think it’s a bit of a battle. He’s been out for a while,” he told SportFM.

“Unfortunately, you can’t let emotion get involved. He’s been a great player, great servant and terrific, but you’ve got to pick your best team that’s going to help you deliver. 

“You’ve just got to make some tough decisions, and in my mind, I don’t think I could [pick Fyfe].”

Fremantle come into this weekend’s Derby fresh off a thrilling one-point win against current ladder leaders Collingwood at the MCG. 

The win over Collingwood is crucial in the season’s wider picture, as the race for the top eight is closer than ever, with only two games separating third and eighth. 

Fremantle, who currently sit in seventh, narrowly missed out on finals last season and will be looking to make the eight for the first time since 2022. 

While Eade doesn’t believe Fremantle are flag contenders yet, he believes this season could set them up for that target in the following years.

“It was a real growth game on the weekend. That’s a real plus for them,” he said.

“Certainly, they could. I don’t think there are clear favourites. 

“They should get into finals now, they get there and win at least one final, I think it’ll be a good year with the view of really targeting next year as a year that they can challenge. 

“You never know, as I said, it’s even. They’ve certainly got the talent to be able to do that.”

IMAGE: Fremantle Dockers