Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe is a victim of his own professionalism on the field, according to senior coach Justin Longmuir, who said the midfielder needs to be protected more by the umpires and his teammates.
The two-time Brownlow Medallist was heavily tagged in Saturday’s game against GWS and was restricted to 11 disposals in the process.
While Longmuir praised the way Fyfe carries himself under such pressure, he said the captain’s behaviour may be a reason why the treatment goes unnoticed.
“I think the way he goes about his business masks a lot of the treatment that he gets,” Longmuir said.
“He’s in the next moment, he doesn’t dwell on it too much. He doesn’t look for fights or look to argue with the umpires.
“The way he handles himself on the field with the treatment he gets is first class but it’s been going on for a while and all we ask is he gets a fair crack at it.”
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Longmuir said it wasn’t just the umpires’ responsibility to protect the Freo star.
“We need to support Nathan through that, if he cops a hard tag, we can help him,” Longmuir said.
“All he can do is focus on his next contest and he does that really well. We need to support him better behind the scenes.”
Longmuir said Fremantle may consider going to the AFL about the issue, but have had to focus on more pressing matters.
Freo are on a four-day break between their games against GWS on Saturday and Richmond on Wednesday, while relocating to Queensland for the final four games of the season.
“We haven’t (gone to the AFL), probably more because of the four day break and the travel just made it really hard when we’re trying to do so much,” Longmuir said.
“We’re trying to cram preparation into such a short time, but if it continues, we need to follow it up because I think he’s unfairly treated, to put it simply.
“I think other mids in the comp get looked after more than him.”
