Nat Fyfe will miss Sunday’s JLT Community Series clash against West Coast at Rushton Park, but senior coach Ross Lyon says the Fremantle captain will be fit for round one against North Melbourne on Sunday 24 March at Optus Stadium.
Fyfe has sat out the JLT Series following a minor elbow surgery to drain an inflamed bursa.
“The recommendation from the surgeon was for Nathan not to play (JLT2),” Lyon said.
“He’ll be training (on Friday), he will just be on no contact.
“His history is that he can perform really well. He’s had a big summer, he played AFLX and he’ll be good to go.
“He’ll definitely play round one. If it was round one (this weekend), he’d be playing.”
Lyon said that a player of Fyfe’s calibre could rebound from missing the JLT Series, adding that Fyfe benefited from playing AFLX.
“We counted AFLX as a hit-out. I read (Patrick) Dangerfield’s comment that you couldn’t even celebrate a goal as it was that quick and intense.
“That was a really good hit-out, probably more intense than the intraclub that we played (on the same day) so we feel that he’s had one.”
Lyon said that Sean Darcy and Reece Conca would play on Sunday if they get through Friday’s training session.
“For Sean, part of the protocol is to tick off his speed and then he’ll join in training and play,” Lyon said.
“Reece is straight into training, so as long as they get through they’ll play.
“Reece will play through the midfield. He can play inside mid, half-back and wing and a little bit forward if we need. He’ll probably go through the midfield this weekend and on the wing.
“If Fyfe was playing, he might have been pushed to half-back.”
Lyon said he’s seen encouraging signs from Fremantle’s pre-season so far.
“Based on last week (against Collingwood), I feel we have improved,” Lyon said.
“Last week we won the contest, the ground ball, the tackle count and the inside 50s.
“We needed to defend a bit better and use it better inside 50, but if you have those as your foundations, confidence can come from action.
“I’m always excited about what Freo can do this season. We have brought in 31 new players over the past three years. There’s a lot of education, a lot of chemistry that has been brought together.
“If you’re a Freo fan, get along and see (Adam) Cerra, (Andrew) Brayshaw, (Jesse) Hogan, (Rory) Lobb. Alex Pearce was really our BOG last week. There is a lot of individual excitement but collectively we want to improve our footy.”
