Fremantle's Irish recruit Sean Hurley thinks Nat Fyfe is a ‘natural’ with the round ball and is confident he’ll do well for Australia in next week's Virgin Australia International Rules match at Patersons Stadium.
The pair took to Fremantle Oval on Wednesday morning where Hurley imparted some expert advice on the Gaelic game to Fyfe.
Freo’s reigning Doig Medallist was taught to dispose of the ball with an open palm as opposed to the closed fist he is used to in Aussie Rules.
He also learnt that it's better to kick the ball into space so a teammate could run onto it rather than try to pinpoint a pass onto his chest.
Hurley liked his student’s foot skills.
“I think he’s very good, he’s a natural,” Hurley said.
“He’s practicing his snaps already, so inside of 40m he’s curling them over.”
Fyfe then tried his hand at picking up the ball by flicking it up with his foot while in motion – a skill Brisbane Lions’ Irishman Pearce Hanley performed with the oval ball during an AFL game this season.
It didn’t take Fyfe long to figure it out.
“It’s tough, not everyone can do it, but after two goes ‘Fyfey’ was flicking it up like a natural,” an impressed Hurley said.
“If he does one of them I think the Irish won’t know what’s going on.”
Fyfe was quite proud of his achievement but he was left shaking his head when Hurley performed the skill at top pace.
“I’ve still got a lot to learn,” Fyfe said afterwards.
But Hurley said Fyfe was ready to unleash his new skills on Ireland next Saturday night 22 November at Patersons Stadium.
“I don’t need to give him any tips, he knows how to play the game now,” he said.
Fyfe promised he’d soon be returning the favour when Fremantle’s pre-season kicks off.
“Especially with the handball, you have to have a closed fist in Aussie Rules, otherwise you’ll be called for a throw,” he said.
“Once we’re done with this (round) ball I think the tips will start coming back the other way.”
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