Nat Fyfe has made the call to stand aside as captain after six seasons in the role, making the announcement to his teammates in a team meeting at the Club on Tuesday.

Fyfe was first voted in by the playing group in 2017, and in 2022 he became the Club’s second-longest serving captain when he surpassed Peter Bell’s five years as skipper.

As captain, Fyfe oversaw a critical period in Club history where it rebuilt a playing list into a return to finals in 2022.

During that time, the midfielder won his second Brownlow Medal in 2019 as he continued to set the standards on and off the field.

While it was a difficult decision for Fyfe, he said it was made knowing that Fremantle had a number of players worthy of the captaincy.

"The decision was tough. It has been something I've known for the last three or four weeks," Fyfe said.

"Last year was a challenging year for me individually, but a great year for the Club and it started to pave the way for a transition.

"Intuitively, I knew that it was an exciting opportunity for the Club for me to step aside and let someone else come through.

"It took a while for the emotions and my mind to line up with my intuition, it feels like I was letting go of a dream in some ways, but once I connected with that feeling, it opens up the possibility for so much more.

"I'm optimistic about what this transition can do for the Club."

A leadership group member since 2015, the 209-gamer has also made the call to step aside from leadership group duties.

"By stepping away completely from the leadership group that allows me to focus all my energy on helping our other forwards and learning my craft again," Fyfe said.

"It also allows someone else to step into the leadership group potentially and give us that fresh push of leadership which will propel us forward."

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As Fremantle’s Executive General Manager of Football, Bell praised Fyfe’s contribution as captain.

“On behalf of the Fremantle Football Club I would like to thank Nathan for his vitally important contribution as captain for the past six seasons,” Bell said.

“Last year we emerged from a significant list rebuild into a return to finals, and as captain through that period, Nathan was a vital stabilising force and leader through that transition.

“Nathan led by example both on and off the field, and the strength we boast as a Club right now from a talent, work ethic and leadership perspective can be attributed to his guidance.

“I understand Nathan’s desire to both stand aside as captain as well as any formal leadership duties so he can best focus on his football, but we know that his influence on the group will continue.”

This marks the second change to Fremantle’s leadership structure ahead of the 2023 season, alongside David Mundy’s retirement.

Fyfe captained Fremantle for seven games in 2022, with Alex Pearce standing in as captain for 16 games and Mundy for one as a part of a leadership group that also included Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong.

Fremantle’s captain and leadership group will be finalised later this month.

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