Fremantle star Nat Fyfe says the club is holding the premiere talks under wraps after the victories over Melbourne and Brisbane, but admits it’s “good” to be back at the top of the charts.
Fyfe has not yet played the match in 2022 after several shoulder operations, then knee injuries and back operations kept him off Fremantle’s side and after 9 rounds he sat 9: 3.
After a successful return through WAFL last weekend, Fyfe said he was ready to step directly into the Dockers’ clothing, which alerted the competition to big victories over the premiere fantasies.
Stream every match of each round of the Toyota AFL 2022 Premiership live and free in a game about advertising breaks on Kayo. Are you in Kayo for the first time? Try for free 14 days now>
But it spoils the hype about premieres.
“The outer hype that has begun to build; “you would hear some hashtags (like #flagmantle) appearing here in the west,” he said on the couch.
“We’re all quite looking forward to the team that didn’t win the premiere.”
“Internally, I have seen a controlled, dedicated group that knows we are only in early June.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us … we are hungry to continue this work.”
After Nick Riewoldt tried to clarify which hashtags he meant, Fyfe said, “Come on, buddy, don’t do this to me!”
“I think there was a #flagmantle at some point,” added On the Couch moderator Garry Lyon.
The 30-year-old said that playing ahead “seems like a pretty reasonable option at the moment” for his return after “humiliating” 11 months on the sidelines.
And he warned the fans not to expect exceptional performance from the first match.
“I can really only watch for a week; Let’s hope that in six to eight weeks on the track I have developed a certain condition for the match and a certain hardness… and I can really add some value to the team, “he said.
“I couldn’t do anything for six weeks – the shoulder operation failed – I couldn’t go anywhere or do anything.
“I had to raise my hand and say physically that I had found the bottom and I would not be able to fight my way through and postpone my ego.”
“I hope to be able to influence it at the AFL level, but it will not be at the same level as I finished last year (immediately after my return).
The two-time Brownlow Medalist is excited about what the club will expect in the future when he and his fellow Fremantle leaders embark on a “fundamental weapons development.”
“We have so many good young players and our job is to provide leadership that will put our club in a position we haven’t been in before,” he said.
“We’ve been very methodical with our list management strategy for some time … Team building, which is what you need to be a good team fighting for the finals for many years.
“Excitement has been growing inside for some time.
“You can only be patient and hope it turns around.”
“I finally feel we’re in a good position to attack the back half of the year.”
“The real season starts after that.”
Garry Lyon’s host said on the couch that he was sure Fyfe would have some “doubts” about his return after such a long break from work due to injury.
But he was sure that the star Freo could rise again.
“It’s on,” added panel member Nick Riewoldt.
“He could just tear up the competition.”
“When he gets used to the role, he has all the tools to be a great midfielder.”
#buddy #dont #Fyfe #isnt #Fword #highflying #Freo