Peter Sumich: Fremantle Dockers star Nat Fyfe in backroom trade talks after being pushed out as captain

Fremantle champion Nat Fyfe has made it clear to those close to him that he is desperate to add a flag to his long list of achievements — but staying at the Dockers may not be a part of that goal. Fyfe is in an injury recovery battle with an agonising foot problem that won’t go away, as well as a fight to get back into the side’s starting line-up as a valuable contributor. The 31-year-old has to start looking at his longer-term footy immortality. The dual Brownlow medallist is looking to win a spot in a much-improved Dockers midfield coming off a winning effort over West Coast, when they left out proven clearance exponent Will Brodie. Or does Fyfe sneak back into a forward line that was also decidedly better in a 41-point derby win, where small forwards Michael Walters, Sam Switkowski, Michael Frederick and Lachie Schultz look settled alongside improved big targets Luke Jackson and Jye Amiss. Fyfe has already butted heads with Fremantle management over losing his captaincy. Make no mistake, he wanted to stay skipper, or share that honour for one more season. It’s that final year of Fyfe’s multi-million-dollar a season contract — he is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. Alternatives are already stacking up for Fyfe to ponder as he considers any future hopes at Fremantle. When Fyfe was told by Dockers heavyweights over last summer that he would not lead Fremantle in 2023, it is believed that his reaction indicated he would have sought a trade last October if he’d been advised of his dismissal in time to move elsewhere. Don’t be fooled with AFL rhetoric that trading “only happens” in October trade period, platforms for big trading is set into place way before then each year. For players of Fyfe’s calibre, especially coming out of contract as a free agent, trade talks would be launched from months out and it would not be unusual so early into any new season. Fyfe is chasing an elusive premiership to cap off one of the most decorated careers in WA footy history. He has to come to terms with whether that is actually with Fremantle and their youthful troopers or somewhere else where he fits a premiership strategy. Fyfe has made it clear to close confidants that he desperately wants to add a premiership to his impressive dossier of footy achievements. He has been linked behind the scenes with a potential switch to Sydney, who will remain on the brink of premiership glory for at least the next three to four campaigns. Or Fyfe will consider a move to other rising contenders like Carlton, Collingwood or Richmond. Then there is the big attraction to end his days as a mentor with emerging and aspiring outfits like Gold Coast, or even alongside former coach Ross Lyon at St Kilda. It’s already shaping as another injury-interrupted on-again, off-again season for Fyfe. He managed just seven outings last season and only 37 or a possible 66 games since his second Brownlow win in 2019. How Fyfe settles back into Fremantle planning — as early as across this defining month for the Dockers and their finest-ever star — will significantly influence his intentions beyond a flag assault this year.