It's no secret Nat Fyfe is a superstar but his best-on-ground performance to take the lead in AFL.com.au's Brownlow predictor in Fremantle's loss to Richmond showed a new dimension of his game.
The Fremantle skipper performed admirably as his side's back-up ruckman, earning a career-high seven hit-outs on Sunday afternoon at the MCG, on his way to polling three votes.
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After seven rounds, Fyfe sits on 12 votes, ahead of Tigers jet Dustin Martin and Hawthorn ball-magnet Tom Mitchell in equal second with tallies of 10.
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Against Richmond, Fyfe amassed 33 disposals, 26 contested possessions and 12 clearances in a mammoth outing.
Also worth noting is his season-high tally of eight marks, six of which were contested.
Richmond employed the tactic of throwing midfielders into the ruck on its run to last year's premiership, with Shaun Grigg often backing up Toby Nankervis.
Gun Western Bulldogs onballer Marcus Bontempelli and Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury are among the stars to have been deployed in that role.
