Beyond Nat Fyfe’s 200th AFL game, played this Saturday against Hawthorn, the Fremantle superstar plans to continue to be one of the AFL’s most dominant midfielders.
A deep thinker of the game, Fyfe had previously discussed changing his style of play as he got older, considering toning down his ferocity in the contest and spending more time forward.
Despite sustaining a concussion and dislocated shoulder in 2021, Fyfe now believes the best way forward is to continue playing in the manner that has seen him win two Brownlow Medals.
“Early days, particularly once I got a bit bigger and stronger, I wanted to be that competitive beast, that combative attacking inside player,” Fyfe said.
“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to become more efficient and smarter with the way I go about it, like a Scott Pendlebury type of player. That hasn’t really come to life for me. I find myself still this year, I’ve had a concussion, a loose shoulder and a number of other little niggles. My game is my game, I think it makes sense just to stick to your strengths.”
Fyfe added that he doesn’t see a permanent move away from the midfield to the forwardline in his future, hoping to be just one cog in a talented midfield alongside youngsters Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra and Caleb Serong for years to come.
“I’m not a great forward and I feel like my best footy is in the midfield. I can pinch hit there but I’ll keep playing to my strengths for as long as I can and work within team balance,” Fyfe said.
“We’ve got some genuine guns coming through in the midfield and my job is to help nurture and mentor them through. I’ve got no intention of winding down at the back of my career.”
Despite winning two Brownlows, Fyfe believes he has more improvement in him.
“The game demands a lot and staying motivated for 200 games, or 12 years, is as big a challenge as any. The evolution of me as a leader, awareness, my understanding of preparation and performance, I’m certainly not a finished product,” Fyfe said.
“I’m grateful to have good leadership and mentors to get me through to this point and I’m looking forward to seeing how the next four or five years develop.”
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