A former Premiership Eagle hopes we haven’t seen the last of Nat Fyfe, as fresh injury concerns emerged over the weekend.
The 33-year-old’s return to the AFL has been delayed after a hamstring strain cut his WAFL appearance for Peel Thunder short on Saturday afternoon.
Fyfe lasted one quarter in Peel’s 49-point loss to South Fremantle before emerging from the changerooms in his team kit – taking no further part in the game.
Hamstring injuries are unfortunately familiar territory for Fyfe, having been benched late in the 2022 season, including two finals.
The dual-Brownlow Medalist also underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in January and sat out of Round 1 of the WAFL after pulling up sore following pre-season hitouts for Peel.
Speaking on Sports Breakfast, Peter Sumich says he hopes Nat Fyfe will play AFL again but predicts it may be difficult given Freo’s midfield depth.
“If he did his hammy, it depends on what grade it is. It’s going to be tough. You won’t see him in contention for playing AFL after Round 12 or so,” he said.
“By the time he gets back, plays a few more WAFL and does all that, you’re talking after around 12 and then whether the Fremantle need him.
“Whether Fremantle is up and about and they’re happy with the young kids running around Reid and all that. Johnson’s going well, and Serong, Brayshaw, Young in their midfield. So they might say, ‘Well, unless we get an injury, we won’t be picking him.’”
Injuries have dulled the backend of Fyfe’s 240-game career, with this latest setback reigniting talks of retirement for the former Dockers skipper.
In the last three seasons, Fyfe has played 38 games – 22 of which came last year, marking the most games he has played in a single season since 2013.
While many fear this may be the last we see of Fyfe, Sumich believes he won’t back down without a fight.
“Knowing the character, I think he would strive to try and get back, and I’d be disappointed if he didn’t,” he said.
“He should give it one last crack because it looks like Fremantle will play finals, and he should give himself every chance to maybe get selected again.”
IMAGE: Fremantle Dockers