Dual Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe has described just how far he’s had to come back from as he looks to return to full training.

The star midfielder underwent a second round of surgery in October and then had a further setback when an infection meant he had to undergo antibiotic treatment, leaving him unable to commence rehabilitating his shoulder for a further two weeks.

Since then, Fyfe has re-gained eight kilos to get back to his playing weight of 96kg and has now started transitioning back into the main group.

“The shoulder’s good. I’ve put back about eight kilos of mass onto my frame,” Fyfe said.

“Everything is trending the way it should. I will have a few tests to get through the next couple of weeks to make sure my contact and ball work is all ready to go.

“Failing any unforeseen incidents, I’ll be right to play early in the season.”

On Wednesday Fyfe was confirmed as Fremantle’s captain for the 2022 season. His sixth year as captain makes him the outright second longest-serving Fremantle captain behind Matthew Pavlich (nine seasons) and ahead of Peter Bell and Kara Antonio (five seasons).

Fyfe said it was again an honour to be voted in by his peers considering the limited role he has played on the training track this pre-season.

“It’s great to be again voted in by the players, particularly this season given I had so many struggles over the pre-season getting my shoulder back up and running,” Fyfe said.

“To have that support and confidence from the players, it’s great.”

Fyfe said he hopes to continue to evolve as a captain in 2022.

“Hopefully I’ve worked a few things out now after six years, but it’s always an evolution, you’re continually working with your playing group,” Fyfe said.

“I’m more driven and determined than ever individually to be the best leader and player I can be. Hopefully, that’s rubbing off on the players around me and the way they prepare and their mindset for what we want to achieve as a group.

“My job is to work really closely with our leaders and senior players to make sure the standards that we’re pushing as a team give us the best chance to play finals footy and win a premiership.”

Fyfe said the team was eager to get the season underway. Fremantle take on Adelaide in round one on 20 March at Adelaide Oval before returning to take on Optus Stadium in round two on 27 March.

“Hopefully we’re playing in front of a full house at Optus Stadium (in round two) but there’s a lot of work to do before the season starts, our team is starting to shape up, our rehab group is getting really thin and, hopefully, I’ll be back out training with the main group very shortly,” Fyfe said.

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