Fremantle skipper David Mundy says he is shocked to hear about rumours of a rift between Hayden Ballantyne and Nat Fyfe, denying reports the player group have splintered.
Rumours of player unrest are growing at Fremantle, with Ballantyne already seeking a trade away from the AFL club despite having a year to run on his contract.
Ballantyne is reportedly among a group of players who have been unhappy with Fyfe’s leadership style.
Mundy admits the demands that himself, Fyfe, and coach Ross Lyon place on the group can be challenging for some players to handle at times.
But he doesn’t think it’s led to resentment.
When asked about rumours that Ballantyne wants to leave because of a rift with Fyfe, Mundy replied: “That surprises me. That’s the first I’ve ever heard of that. That certainly shocks me.”
And Mundy said he doesn’t think there’s a divide between Fyfe and some other players.
“Nat’s clearly a very demanding leader at times, and knows what he wants,” Mundy said.
“We love that about him. We respect that and we value that in the football club.
“Sometimes that may get people offside. But Nat especially is coming from a place to help everyone improve. Our group understands that.
“So whilst there might be moments where myself, Nat, or Ross might get someone offside, it’s all for the betterment of the team.”
The reports of player unrest could make it even harder for Fremantle to re-sign Fyfe.
The Brownlow medallist is out of contract at the end of next season, and he’s already said he’ll explore his free agency options before deciding whether to re-sign with the Dockers.
Fremantle are a club in crisis following one of their worst seasons.
The 3-17 win-loss record makes for horrible reading. But it’s the talk of player discontent that has rocked the ship the most.
And it hasn’t been smooth sailing in the coaching ranks either.
Development coach Peter Sumich – who was once Lyon’s right-hand man – abruptly left the club last week.
But first-year skipper Mundy claims the environment within the club is at “polar opposites” to what’s being reported.
And he said suggestions of a fracture within the player group were wide of the mark.
“We’re not splintering at all. We’re working together,” said Mundy, who’ll notch his 250-game milestone in Saturday’s clash with Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium.
Don Freo
Guest
This is what Ballas says as recently as yesterday on radio to Shaun McManus; "I love playing with Nathan Fyfe because he's one of the best players in the AFL and he's so driven for success he drags everyone else and he inspires the team and myself to play good footy," Ballantyne told Perth radio station Mix 94.5 on Wednesday. "They're the sort of people you want to play footy with."
Don Freo
Guest
13th, you have been sucked in by the gossip. As if Mzungu, Suban, De Boer are white anting. They know that will have them off the list straight away. White ants are untradeable. What club would want that kind of team player? Their careers would be over. It's not those guys. It is definitely NOT Ballas. I'd suggest it's nobody at all.
Don Freo
Guest
I'd think it would be Hawthorn by then.
Don Freo
Guest
Fyfe is not a player in this at all? Where does the FIGJAM come from? Poor Fyfey. Just recovering...not even on the track...and you have him calling all the shots.
Don Freo
Guest
Well, there is nothing new in Chadwick's report. He is just rehashed "reported"rumours. Ballantyne has since said that he is NOT looking for a trade and has asked no one. If this "rift" stuff is news to the coach and the captain, it is because there is no rift. Remember, the rumours report the players wanted Mundy as captain. Wouldn't they then be confiding in Mundy? Freo has a team full of kids. They are lappi g up everything Mundy, Fyfe, Sandi and Pav can offer. Make up whatever you like. It is not actually a thing.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Fortunately there is going to be a massive overhaul, in only a few weeks time. By end of 2017 we will hopefully be well on the way back to respectability.
Penster
Guest
No offence Paul D (I come from a family of Roy Boys), but if he's jack of Lyon's regime at Freo and chasing flags, Leppich and the Lions would be like jumping from the pan into the fire. Unless there's a massive overhaul. But yes, a marquee signing would demand attention from the AFL. I can see Ffyfe at North, if they're smart enough to clean out the list cloggers (and the coach).
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Great take 13th- very concise and insightful
Brinnx
Guest
13th I think you've probably nailed it.
Freo As
Guest
Hackdorn, is that you?
Paul D
Roar Guru
Robinson was offered a very cheap deal. 2 year contract I think on not much. Beams is on about $800K. Rocky was demanding $800K. Hanley is definitely on about $500K and isn't worth half that at the moment. I would really like the club to be more open about this stuff to be honest, I understand why they're not, but jesus wept I would want to see some more openness and honesty once the trade period is done, the new coach is in and we're hitting the training paddock before season starts. Because this whole "trust us but we're not saying anything" routine is cancer for attracting and retaining new and existing fans. People in this city will never wear this prima donna woe is me attitude and it needs to be dropped now, because we've got what we wanted, we've got the financial intervention, so thumbs out of the mouth now and let's get down to it.
13th man
Guest
There definitely is something going on.... I think the club has split into two factions.... we have the older senior types who have realised that under Fyfe as captain they have no future at Freo such as Ballantyne, Mayne, Suban, De Boer, Mzungu and co....... and we have the younger brigade of Walters, Neale, Blakely, Weller, Langdon etc that are part of the future Fyfe sees in the club.... The older blokes obviously voted Mundy as captain at the start of the year as they saw there future finished under Fyfe.... nothing against Mundy he is a club legend but he isn't captain material........ he is nowhere near as polished in front of the media as Pav or Fyfe...... I feel that those two have really been calling the shots..... everyone listens to Pav obviously and the young players admire Fyfe..... Weller has a poster of him in his room!!! I feel sorry for Mundy, he shouldn't have had to deal with this and as captain will be made scapegoat for this...... what should of happened was the future, Fyfe is the clear leader and is very driven which is why he has got some players offside...... he expects them to be as driven as he is and whilst this is great for the youngsters it's not so popular with the older blokes. Ross Lyon and Mundy have been trying to keep the sinking ship afloat but haven't done very well Clearly the next step is a big cleanout...... Fyfe must be made captain, if that is co-captain with Mundy then that's ok but Fyfe would really be in control The old brigade will go, and Freo needs to bring in fresh new talent, McCarthy, Lobb and Hill as well as somehow managing to keep our top draft pick I would like to see the back of Lyon but it won't happen, he has to be held accountable for the poor list management and such a dropoff in form. I would like to see Jarryd Schofield as coach, has little AFL experience but has done very well at Subiaco.... I doubt they will install him as senior coach but hopefully they consider him for Suma's job at the least. I am fully backing the Fyfe train.... if we follow his lead and give him control then we will go places. He may not be well liked but the best captains are not always. Bradman was an arrogant bugger but he had success, Steve Waugh wasn't well liked. I just hope the media will still celebrate the great career of Matthew Pavlich and this will not ruin his farewell and his legacy, such a champion and legend!!!
me too
Guest
To get anything more than a draft pick they'd need to trade him this year. If not and he's definitely going, expect Freo to win the spoon and get picks one and two.
DingoGray
Guest
If we are at our cap spending limit whoever is in charge of list management got to go. Other than Dayne Beames and maybe Robbo (and he be on a bargain deal from his Carlton Days) we don't have any Top end talent that would be demanding big money. Obviously Rocky must be being paid way too much! Hanley probably in that boat as well. The rest are plodders and up and comers.....
me too
Guest
Only 15 years away? i'd take that if i was you!
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
He could be on the cards to land at Carlton in 2018 then. They'll have first pick and surely they'll have room in their salary cap.
kick to kick
Guest
As a free agent Fyfe doesn't have to be traded if he decides to leave at the end of 2017. He will be a restricted free agent which means that Fremantle can keep him only if it matches the offer of another club with whom Fyfe has done a deal. . If Freo matches a bid and Fyfe still wants to go he can enter the draft and set a price, hoping that only the rival club with whom he has been negotiating can afford to choose him - a risky way of leaving. In either case Fremantle gets no trade return as of right. Fyfe could, out of sentiment for the Dockers, insist that Freo get some trade compensation as part of a deal - but that would be at his discretion.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Nah, I reckon we’ve still got a fair bit of space. Taylor was reportedly paid $400,000/year, I think that’s not too terrible. Maybe a touch high but not extortionate. Mayes, Lester, Bewick all resigned this year too from memory, and I think Robertson might have, as well as Gardiner. Plus Merrett just retired, not sure what he was still on that will be freed up. You’d think more than a pittance though. Pretty sure salary cap was a component of Leppa’s misery guts routine as well.
johno
Guest
Only trade Fyfe if it landed all of Hogan, Lobb, McCarthy, Martin, Garlett (Suns), Ah Chee (Suns) 2 first round picks in 2016 and two first round draft picks in 2017. Else trade the grumbling minorities for a few 3rd and second rounders this year
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
The flipside of that is Freo's probably about to free up some expansive salary-cap space of their own.