Ahead of his 150th game for Fremantle, Nat Fyfe has reflected on the determined approach to football that has since seen him become a star of the AFL.
Fyfe will reach the milestone when he runs out at Etihad Stadium when Freo face Carlton on Saturday.
Since making his debut in 2010, the Fremantle captain feels he’s grown in a literal and figurative sense.
“It’s nine years now since I debuted in 2010 in round five against Richmond,” Fyfe said.
“I think I was 70-odd kilos playing as a small forward playing alongside Matthew Pavlich.
“I remember I kicked 1.4, I took a couple of marks around the forward 50 and just couldn’t convert and the one goal I did kick just snuck through very unconvincingly.
“But to win in my first game, I couldn’t ask for much more.
“A lot’s happened in that time, some ups and downs but it’s an interesting journey that I’ve enjoyed.”
Fyfe said a big factor in his development since joining Fremantle was having the ability to review the vision of his games.
“I think since I debuted I quickly worked out what sort of a player I wanted to become,” Fyfe said.
“When you start watching yourself on vision you start to realise the way you play and I sort of copied some other players in the competition who I wanted to play like, such as Chris Judd and James Hird.
“I think over the nine years I’ve developed into a versatile midfield/forward that can play a hard attacking inside brand of footy.”
Fyfe missed the chance to play his 150th in front of a home crowd but says he will have a sense of pride when he runs out with his teammates for Saturday’s clash with Carlton at Etihad Stadium.
“It’s been a two-week build-up now,” Fyfe said.
“Obviously, missing with the suspension was disappointing but to be able to run out this weekend against Carlton in my 150th game, it’s probably something that as time goes on it will have more significance.
“It will be a proud moment nonetheless.”
