Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe says he’s relishing being able to play football again, despite the result in Saturday’s JLT Series derby at Wonthella Oval not going Freo's way.
On a hot day in Geraldton, West Coast started strongly and ran out 55-point winners.
Fyfe picked up 22 disposals in his first game of senior football since round five of the 2016 season, and took an impressive mark on the wing in the third quarter.
“It was great to get out and play a game of footy,” Fyfe said.
“The result aside, to get out and run around and enjoy getting through four quarters was good fun.
“From a team perspective, there’s some stuff we need to work on.”
Fremantle were playing their first game of the JLT Series, and started slowly against an Eagles side appearing in their second – but Freo regrouped after the main break to put in an improved performance in the second half.
“This is still the pre-season,” Fyfe said.
“They (The Eagles) had played a game (already). They were very sharp. They came to play and threw the first punch, and we were on the back foot from there.”
“There were a number of guys similar to me, like Cam McCarthy who hasn’t played for 12 months.
“So to run around, and get a bit of a feel of what it’s like out there, is going to be really good for us.”
Fyfe said he would need the rest of the pre-season to get into top condition after playing his first game for more than 10 months.
“I felt pretty good, and I got through the game without any worries,” Fyfe said.
“I’ll play some more minutes through the pre-season comp.
“It’s like riding a bike a little bit….to get back in the mix, hit a few bodies, and be nice and clean around the ball.
“I’m a bit rusty, I’ve got some cobwebs to blow out but so does the team.”
Fremantle v Collingwood AFL & AFLW Double Header
Saturday 4 March - Rushton Park, Mandurah
AFL Women's: 10.35am
AFL Men's: 1.40pm
Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com.au
