Former Docker Brad Wira believes star Docker duo Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters will likely see out the their contracts amid speculation the pair may retire at season’s end. 

There have been whispers around the AFL community that Fyfe and Walters may call time on their career after being key pillars for the Dockers for over 15 years. 

The former captain inked a two-year deal in mid-2023 which would see him out to the end of 2025, as did Walters, making them both one-club players. 

However, as Fremantle continues to push for its maiden flag, Wira can see the veteran superstars slotting into a different role level next season if they do stay on.

The suggestion comes as three-time premiership Hawk Jack Gunston told AFL media he would be happy to spend next year in VFL side Box Hill developing players earlier this week. 

“They’re both Fremantle people,” he told SportFM.

“They’ve been such great players for us and I think they’ll be willing to, they’re going to have to be open to… happy to go and play at Peel.

“Their role will be experience and teaching the new way, how to train, how to actually get their bodies right, which will be a challenge for any senior player. 

“The good ones and the good teams on their list. So I think they’ll see their contracts out. It’ll just be in a different role.”

Despite Wira being confident Walters will see his contract out until the end of 2025, a retirement isn’t completely off the cards. 

With a possible loss of Walters and his shaky form this season, Wira believes Fremantle should prioritise getting a small forward in the off season. 

Fremantle heads into the off-season with three first round draft picks and a tough decision to make with Richmond star forward Shai Bolton officially requesting at trade back to WA. 

However, when asked about Bolton possibly being traded to Fremantle, Wira says he would prefer for most of those picks to be used in the draft.

“First of all he’s a wonderful player, a two-time Premiership player, can turn a game on its head and I’d love to see him in purple,” he said. 

“You have to back the process and if I’m in charge, but I’m using the picks because it’s all reports out to a really deep draft. We’ve seen the success of it, you need to back the process. 

“I’d love to see him in the purple but would I be trading any of those picks? One at most and that might be just a little bit pie in the sky stuff but he’s a wonderful player.” 

Key forward Josh Treacy had an outstanding season, booting 45 goals before being struck down with injury in the final few rounds. 

The Dockers need to fill the gap and bolster its forward line with another elite talent and a few more on-ballers, with Wira stating the draft may be the way to go.

“We’ve seen the young helmeted player at Darcy Jones from GWS. There’s one on our doorstep there,” he said.

“There’s a number of those small forwards… I think ironically we’ve now got key positions. 

“They’ve got to stay fit but Pearce was all Australian, the emergence of Treacy, Amiss will be fantastic player for the club for a long period of time and with the two big blokes.”

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