‘I don’t need anything further’: Dockers great retires
Joanna Guelas |
Fremantle great Nat Fyfe is satisfied he’s made the right decision, calling time on his glittering AFL career after a gruelling run with injury.
The two-time Brownlow medallist will retire at the end of the season, ideally after helping to steer the fourth-placed Dockers deep into September.
Monday’s announcement came two days after Fyfe played just his fifth game of the season, returning from injury as Fremantle claimed a last-gasp six-point win over Port Adelaide.
The 33-year-old, who underwent knee surgery over the summer, had missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury.
He made a successful comeback in round 12 before injuring his calf while warming up as the sub against St Kilda three weeks later.
Back in time for one last attempt at a premiership, midfielder Fyfe says he is at peace with his career decision.
“Retiring has been a conversation that has been ongoing for probably the last 12 months,” Fyfe said in a club statement.
“It just feels like it’s the right time.
“I’m just immensely grateful for what my AFL experience and playing with Fremantle has given to me.
“Knowing this is the end of my career, I leave with a sense of understanding that I don’t need anything further, which is a really peaceful place to be.”
Fyfe will retire as one of Fremantle’s greatest players.
Raised in Lake Grace in Western Australia’s wheatbelt region, Fyfe was drafted from WAFL club Claremont with pick No.29 in 2009.
The midfielder made his debut the following year and quickly established himself as a star in the engine room.
He became the first Fremantle player to win the Brownlow Medal in 2015, before becoming just the 15th player in AFL history to win the league’s highest individual award twice in 2019.
Achieved over 245 games so far, Fyfe is a former Fremantle captain (2017-2022), an All-Australian captain, a three-time All-Australian and a three-time club best-and-fairest winner.
He is the last Fremantle player to have played in the club’s only grand final – the 2013 loss to Hawthorn – still in action.
“I’m enormously grateful for all the support I’ve been given by Fremantle people across the journey,” Fyfe said.
“They embraced me as a skinny kid, watched me rise through the ranks and supported me through that.
“As I struggled with injury and adversity, the unconditional support and love from the Fremantle community … means a lot.
“I’ll always be a Fremantle person.”
Fremantle football boss Joe Brierty lauded Fyfe as one of the club’s greatest players.
“Nat’s legacy at the Fremantle Football Club will live on forever,” Brierty said.
“With his decision to retire at the conclusion of our 2025 campaign, we know he will leave no stone unturned to make the most out of every moment left.”
Fremantle’s finals campaign is delicately poised, sitting fourth (15-6) with just 12 points separating leaders Adelaide and ninth-placed Western Bulldogs.
The Dockers will aim to extend a five-game winning streak when they host Brisbane at home on Friday.
AAP
