Harris expects Dockers to defy doubters
The West Australian
Fremantle president Steve Harris rejects the theory that clubs must drop down the ladder in order to rebuild.
The Dockers’ premiership dreams were dashed once again in a 27-point preliminary final loss to Hawthorn at Domain Stadium last Friday night.
And their chances of challenging for the flag in 2016 will be hampered if veteran pillars Matthew Pavlich and Luke McPharlin, along with reliable defender Paul Duffield, retire as expected.
Ross Lyon says race for Harely Bennell down to West Australian clubs
The Age
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says the race for Harley Bennell could come down to the West Australian clubs as the talented but troubled high draft pick eyes a fresh start in his home state.
Lyon confirmed the Dockers were considering embracing the 22-year-old and giving him an "opportunity to grow" via the connection he has to many of the club's current players.
Gold Coast have put the former No.2 draft pick up for trade because of a series of off-field incidents which created headlines during his short time at the club.
Having fallen short in another run at a premiership, it's expected the Dockers will be an active player in the exchange period in an effort to add more offence.
Country values lead Fyfe to footy stardom
The West Australian
It is 5am the day after Fremantle Docker Nat Fyfe’s Brownlow medal triumph.
And anybody searching for perhaps the key reason for his rise to football superstardom need look no further than a big trucking yard in the little town of Lake Grace.
As the dawn struggles to arrive and the morning chill hangs in the air, Fyfe’s father David is already at work at the family transport business, preparing one of his seven trucks for a run, his faithful border-collie cross Tom at his side.
Brownlow Medal 2015: Nat Fyfe’s polling in first 100 games miles ahead of anyone in AFL era
PerthNow
WE’VE been lucky enough to witness some prolific Brownlow votegetters in recent times, but we’ve never seen a start to a career anything like Nat Fyfe’s.
This year’s medal winner was a popular and worthy recipient after a stunning first three months of the season.
But Fyfe’s career figures suggest Monday night won’t be the last time he makes his way up onto the stage to receive the honour.
The opening 100 home-and-away games – ie, those eligible for votes – of Fyfe’s career have produced simply astonishing Brownlow numbers.
Hird gave Fyfe blueprint
The West Australian
As Nat Fyfe’s stardom first started to unfold, a secret meeting in Melbourne with a retired star of the game provided him with the guidelines on how to become a champion footballer.
Fittingly crowned the Brownlow medallist on Monday night, Fyfe was just a handful of games into his career when his pure talent reminded Fremantle coach Mark Harvey of a former Essendon teammate and one of the all-time greats of the game — James Hird.
Harvey called Hird to set up a private meeting between the pair, where the 1996 Brownlow medallist detailed the hard work required to help the emerging star reach his potential.
Former Freo recruiter has last laugh
The West Australian
Former Fremantle recruiting manager Phil Smart admits he never imagined Nat Fyfe would become the best player in the competition, but is very satisfied knowing his final draft at the club delivered the Dockers their first Brownlow medallist.
Smart watched the count with his family at home and said he was delighted to see the 24-year-old take out the award.
Smart’s son Connor, 8, was particularly excited, given he was just a toddler when Fyfe briefly lived with them after he was drafted by the club.
