Last season was basically devoid of superstar Nat Fyfe. But baby, he’s back.
The Brownlow medallist, largely regarded as the best player in the competition, looks to be fit and firing for the 2017 season.
All eyes will be eagerly following the dynamic midfielder in the Round 1 home battle against Geelong, as Fremantle look to forget their dismal 2016 season.
This will give football fans something extra to get excited about, as Fyfe goes head to head in a midfield battle against 2017 Brownlow medallist and MVP Patrick Dangerfield.
Fyfe, taken at pick 20 in the 2009 draft, finished a solid fifth in both preseason time trials and has been training with his trademark intensity on the park and in the gym.
While next year will see him become the most hotly contested free agent in recent history, it is his skill setting standards across multiple positions that has fans excited to see return, particularly in light of the demolition that was Dangerfield’s 2016 season.
In honour of the long-haired king’s return, take a look at why he’s not only a crowd favourite but was voted by his peers as MVP twice in a row.
His ability to stand up in a tackle
This is the first and last thing you notice about Fyfe, and the exact same thing that drew him comparisons to Chris Judd and James Hird in his first few seasons at the Dockers – until, of course, he made his own name so meaningful.
His ability to turn and power through opposition arms and weight makes him a playmaking gem, creating rebound opportunities straight back into the forward 50.
His lower centre of gravity, and dynamic power through his hips and legs
This is inextricably linked to the above. It’s what makes him so dangerous in grounded-ball contests and powerful across short distances.
Fyfe has worked succinctly with high-performance staff, and is an avid fan restorative hip work, to develop power generation through his lower body.
Unsurprisingly, a broken leg put a stop to this dynamic ability, but it will no doubt remain a Fyfe trademark to reappear this season.
His bewildering high-marking ability
This is not one of his most consistent aptitudes but, in light of the above, it is still particularly impressive when the bloke stretches high and nails it.
There was the screamer he took over the shoulders of Joel Selwood in Round 20, 2014, and then again and years later against the Tigers, with his kneecaps above Anthony Miles’ eyebrows. It’s worth a re-watch purely to see the way he lands on his feet.
Both earnt him Mark of the Year nominations and showed us he’s happy to contest the ball both above and below.
Playing with that fractured fibula in the prelim against Hawthorn
Having battled through several games with periostitus, the inflammation of his thigh gave way to a break following a collision with Brian Lake early in the first term of the 2015 preliminary final against the Hawks.
While benched for the rest of the quarter, Fyfe returned to play some of the Dockers’ best footy, pushing his side to within nine points at one stage.
He finished the game with 24 possessions, 16 of which were contested (Uh, hello) and six tackles – a solid performance for anyone before you even consider he missed a quarter and played with a broken leg.
His 2015 average of 17.9 contested possessions
This seals the deal.
Last year, Sydney Swans gun Josh Kennedy player 25 games and ended with an average of 17 contested possessions. In 2015, Fyfe managed only 20 games and edged closest to 18. This really puts him and Gary Ablett Jr in a league of their own in terms of contest skills.
Honourable mention to the cane Fyfe wore to the Brownlow – it almost made its own dot point, followed closely by the Michael Rischitelli bump.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I shouldn't have laughed, but this exchange definitely gave me a smile on my face on this depressing Saturday morning, Paul. Well done!
paulywalnuts
Guest
If it weren't for Ross Lyon, and Hawthorn's" home ground advantage", he'd have nothing to say at all. He briefly flirted with the "Sydney wuz robbed" theme at the end of last year but it looks like he's now back on message. Lucky us.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Attaboy Don. Never change.
Don Freo
Guest
What do you think you have just said? It makes no sense to me.
Paul D
Roar Guru
If Fyfe leaves and Freo don't win 11 games this year there's going to be equal parts sympathy & schadenfreude going on at that bbq Don.
Macca
Guest
Dalgerty - and the blues had 0 Kennedys and 0 Mastens to the Eagles 1 of each. My point the expectations that Judd had when he transferred to the blues were largely fulfilled (and who knows what may have happened had the AFL not decided to bring in the expansion teams) so he was hardly gullible.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
And you forgot another stat that Carlton had 1 Judds to WC 0 Judds. But I get what your saying, Carlton were a distant chance at a premiership in that time, compared to WC who were a quite distant chance (even though WC did win more finals than Carlton against sides that weren't 8th).
Macca
Guest
Yes he would have Dalgety - but the Eagles played in 3 finals series to the blues 4 during Judd's time at the blues (including the Eagles 2015 appearance when Judd retired after round 8) and between 2008 & 2014 the blues won 77 games to 68 and 0 wooden spoons to 1 - that's a very good result by the blues considering the starting points of the clubs (the blues having won 4 games in 2007 to the eagles 15)
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
...and if he'd stuck with WC Macca he would've actually played in that 2011 prelim XD
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Haha, history is great. I usually love talking about anything history related ... just not AFL history, because that definitely isn't my strongest area of expertise.
Paul D
Roar Guru
AD - no worries, if there's one thing I love it's talking history
Don Freo
Guest
Fyfey is totally a Freo Forever person. You guys over there can get excited but Freo fans have nothing to worry about. He is purple through and through.
Macca
Guest
"Every club, given a choice of Buddy or Fyfey, would choose Fyfe" A Sydney side boasting Kennedy, Jack, Parker, Hannebery & Mitchell would choose Franklin everyday of the week.
Macca
Guest
The word isn't "sang" it is "signed" - but picking up a typo still rates as one of your most valuable contributions to this site - well done.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
A team of champions does not a champion team make It sure helps though. :)
Slane
Guest
If Eddie Betts played for the Cats, most of Dangerfields kicks would end in goals.
Penster
Roar Guru
A team of champions does not a champion team make, and will they have the salary space for another marquee signing or does Geelong get 10% less than everyone to account for the cheaper cost of living there? Nat seems like the kind of player who'll be chasing premiership glory, rather than the loyal Freo for Fyfe for Life character that Pav was. Who knows what machinations are taking place.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
X-factor by definition is something that can't be described, so of course it can't be measured. I'm talking about Fyfe's accuracy at set-shots, not goals-on-the-run or snaps, which I agree he's reasonable competent at. However, the idea of Pendlebury or Ablett playing as a key position forward has never been floated about in the same vain as Fyfe. Some believe he can play the CHF role similar to Jack Riewoldt, both of whom have remarkably similar builds. In my opinion, he doesn't have the technique or poise like Jack in front of the sticks; therefore playing him for greater periods up forward in this role would be a mistake, despite his exceptional athleticism and marking ability.
Don Freo
Guest
Did he sing badly? The word is "sang".
Don Freo
Guest
But then...Luke beat every forward he played on, every time. An Alex Pearce prototype. Every club, given a choice of Buddy or Fyfey, would choose Fyfe.