After standing aside as captain after six seasons in the role, Nat Fyfe is eager to fully devote himself to his forward craft.

The dual Brownlow medallist is set to split time in the forward line and midfield in 2023 as he looks to bounce back from an injury interrupted 2022 season.

His potential impact as a forward was highlighted in round 17 against St Kilda, where he kicked three goals to go with his 21 disposals and 10 contested possessions.

Fyfe told his teammates on Tuesday he would both stand aside as captain and from any formal leadership group duties.

“I have a real challenge in front of me learning my forward craft,” Fyfe said.

“I’m working with Jaymie Graham, Sonny Walters and the other forwards in trying to learn that craft again and it’s no small challenge.

“It’s one I’m really excited about and by stepping away completely from the leadership group, it allows me to detach and focus all my energy on helping our other forwards as well, and also allows someone else to step into the leadership group position to give us that fresh push which will propel us forward.”

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Fyfe’s six years in the role makes him the Club’s second-longest serving captain. He said he was proud to find himself in a position where there was enough leadership depth on the list that he could stand aside.

“One of the key responsibilities as captain was to develop other leaders,” Fyfe said.

“It’s knowing when the right time was to step aside to allow the next captain to come through.

“The rewards are seeing the players develop in front of your eyes. Our whole leadership group at the moment started their careers living at my place, Andy (Brayshaw), Caleb (Serong) and Alex (Pearce) all lived with me for different periods of time, as did Hayden Young and about five or six others.

“To watch them develop in their careers and their leadership, and to feel a small part of that, is the most rewarding thing.”

Fyfe added that he feels proud to have been a link between some of the Club’s great players to the current generation.

“Over six years, I’ve role modelled off so many great leaders previously in Matthew Pavlich, David Mundy, Aaron Sandilands and Luke McPharlin,” Fyfe said.

“Hopefully I will continue to be a resource for our next captain and our leaders for years to come.”

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