Fremantle’s Festive Long Lunch was the first chance for Nat Fyfe and new AFLW captain Hayley Miller to speak together in a public setting, with both leaders focused squarely on leading their respective teams out in round one.
Freo's AFL and AFLW teams face the Crows in round one, and Fyfe feels he’s on track to be recovered from multiple shoulder surgeries by the 20 March clash at Adelaide Oval.
“I’ve had a bit of a tumultuous off season but now I’ve done five running sessions since coming back, I’m getting my strength back into it (the shoulder),” Fyfe said.
“On Tuesday, it will be seven weeks since the operation. By about 12 to 13 weeks, I’ll be back to full training and by mid-February I’ll be in full contact and ready for round one.”
Fyfe was conservative when asked by master of ceremonies Ryan Daniels if he was tracking ahead of schedule.
“Yes, but I’ve normally felt bulletproof after surgeries - with a reoccurrence, it’s been quite humbling and a day-by-day process,” Fyfe said.
“At this stage, everything is exactly where it’s supposed to be.”
Fyfe also spoke about the message he passed on to Miller when she was announced as Fremantle’s successor to inaugural captain Kara Antonio last Friday.
“I sent her a message saying it was an incredible achievement and acknowledgement from the rest of the group,” Fyfe said.
“Hayley’s been a part of the AFLW program since inception and by all reports she’s the perfect person to take over as captain and take over from Kara.
“I told her that her leadership to this point has got her the job but there’s so much to learn from getting your hands dirty and getting amongst it. I said good luck and to not be afraid to reach out.”
Miller said she’d enjoyed a busy week in her first seven days as captain.
“Obviously it’s been a whirlwind week for me, so to get a text from Nat was a pretty cool moment,” Miller said.
“His advice mirrored what I think the best advice I’ve been given by a number of people. I’ve spoken to Juddy (Antonio) and she said just to be myself and do what I’ve done to this point, which is lead by example, to do what I can do on the field, personally set those standards and live by our trademark off the field and bring the girls along with me.”
Miller said it would be surreal to lead the playing group out in round one.
“Normally my spot in the leadout is just behind Juddy, so it’s going to take a little bit getting used to being at the front,” Miller said.
“It’s going to be super special and we’ve worked really hard up until this point, we’ve only got a couple weeks left until we get out for round one.
“It’s super exciting and I know all the girls are just excited to get out there and play.”
Fyfe said the AFLW team had an opportunity to set the tone for Fremantle’s year.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the women’s team do their thing,” Fyfe said,
“They’ve got a chance to go away for a few weeks and they’ll live that full time professional athlete lifestyle. I think that will yield some really good results and kickstart both Fremantle’s men’s and women’s campaigns.”
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