Fremantle superstar Nat Fyfe has put an end to any chance of him changing clubs via free agency at the end of the year, signing a six-year deal with the Dockers until the end of 2023.
The deal is rumoured to be worth as much as $1.4 million per year for Dockers’ captain and 2015 Brownlow Medallist. If true, the total value of the contract would be in excess of $8 million.
Fyfe will by 31 when the deal finishes and so seems likely to finish his career as a one-club player.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity. Freo has been my home since the start of my career and I’ve since grown into a leadership role,” Fyfe said.
“I really love playing for the club and I’m really grateful and humbled to have the opportunity to be here for the next six years.”
There was significant rumour in the early part of the season that Fyfe was being targetted by Victorian clubs, in particular St Kilda.
It was even said at one point that he had agreed to terms with the Saints on a deal worth more than $1.5 million a year, though this was immediately denied by his management.
St Kilda later publicly confirmed that they were not chasing Fyfe’s signature and instead pursuing other targets such as Josh Kelly and Dustin Martin.
From that point onwards it has looked more likely than not that Fyfe would decide to stay with the Dockers, and perhaps it always was.
His signature is an enormous boon for a rebuilding Fremantle side, who can now plan for 2018 and beyond knowing they will have him to build around as both the club’s captain and its best player.
With Harley Bennell also looking likely to play his first game for Fremantle sooner rather than later and likely another top ten draft pick coming this year, things are looking up for the Dockers’ future.
“I think we’ve got a group who are really willing to learn and aren’t interested in waiting around for their careers to follow a natural trajectory,” Fyfe said.
“Clearly, we want to deliver Fremantle their first premiership. It’s a really lofty and ambitious goal. We’re all going to work as hard as we can towards that.”
After a season that has been quality football but below his prolific standards of the past, Fyfe has been in excellent form over the past fortnight, with back-to-back 30+ disposal games.
The 25-year-old was drafted to the Dockers in the 2009 AFL draft at pick No.20, and in addition to the 2015 Brownlow has been named All-Australian twice, won two Fremantle best-and-fairests, and two AFLPA MVP awards.
Aransan
Guest
And gets more attention from opposing teams than any other player.
docker@aveley
Guest
A brownlow medal, two all-australians, two players' mvps, two fairest and bests - that pretty well labels him champion and superstar.
Aransan
Guest
I would distinguish between betting and gambling. It was a sad day when Victoria allowed the introduction of poker machines to which many of our football clubs are addicted to. These devices are a tax on the poor.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Not sure on the article just yet. I've got something in mind, but it depends on the match I end up going to. Hopefully it's the next Swans match — one way or another, I'll find my way to a Freo match. :) Betting is too serious a topic. I want it to be more light-hearted and neutral.
Aransan
Guest
Rick will be bleeding, that is for sure. All in a good cause.
FreoFan
Roar Rookie
Rick will be bleeding purple soon enough. This won't be a temporary or one off event!
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Good choice! I sorta feel bad that you dropped $100 on it though... Dunno why I feel bad, it just seems to be in my inherent nature to! Hahaha, what will you alter the article to? It's lucky because he didn't go to Collingwood, because I'd be heading to Adelaide Oval on Friday night ;)
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
All right. I've just ordered my kit: https://teamstore.fremantlefc.com.au/mens/apparel-mens/hoodies-jacket/fremantle-dockers-combination-jacket-isc-2017-mens I'm going in style! Got a beanie too, but I don't do scarves...hate them! Now I can't guarantee this coming Swans match (just depends on a clinical rotation for me at the moment), but if it's not this one then I'll find another fixture to embarrass myself at. About a 50 per cent chance though. Might alter the article a bit to make it more relevant to a larger audience. GO DOCKERS!
WCE
Roar Rookie
superstar & champion ! really ? you gotta be kidding me . What has he done to have the label of superstar? Chris Judd, Dangerfield, Eddie Betts , Josh Kennedy, Franklin etc.. all superstars and many many more, but Fyfe c'mon get real
johno
Guest
Cast your mind back to hawthorns away strip from 2015 (power rangers) or the one from 1995 pre-season which looked like Charlie Browns jumper. There are no comparisons!
johno
Guest
Freo got closer to beating Geelong than the Hawks and yet you drool over Clarko's re-build and the way he majestically traded the world for O'Meara. Vickery is Clarko's Anthony / Gumbleton moment and as for recruiting a 28 year old in Henderson ..... that was classic re-building! I hope they enjoy pick 35 in this years draft, I'm sure he'll be a gun to replace Gibson, Hodge, Burgoyne, Roughhead, Poopy, Birchall, and ruck in between to plug all the holes in the leaky boat. But I'm sure you look at this and thin that the Hawks running around with granpa's is rebuilding while Freo playing 5 first year kids and another 10 under 50 games is a hack job.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
You didn't answer my question.
Mattician6x6
Guest
AD - try and source the original apple green freo away strip, only strip to rival the awful ocher eagles strip.
anon
Roar Pro
You're closer to the wooden spoon in the next three years than the top 4. With your style of play you could have GWS's list and you still won't be contending for the top 4. You've completely overhauled your forward line, yet it's the same struggle to score, same poor quality inside 50's. One day the penny will drop. It's not personnel it's coaching. When you get down to it, Fremantle had a decent two year period from mid 2012-mid 2014 under Lyon, plus the first four games of 2015.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I just woke up essentially, so I haven't get a chance to look at the Freo store. I'd say, Rick, that you should just get the regular beanie/hat, scarf and gurney combo. We don't wanna embarrass you any further ;)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
If Freo eventually won a premiership, would you give them one ounce of credit?
Aransan
Guest
$1.4m a year is too much to pay for any player to stay at their club. I believe Fyfe is being paid under $1.2m a year which is about right.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I'd have to pay someone to do it. I don't like getting my hands dirty, let alone purple. Much easier just buying a Freo guernsey to line my Cat litter tray with. I think it will fit well.
anon
Roar Pro
Fremantle have nearly completed the second year of their and I'm seeing no improvement in their attack, no successful change in game plan, still have dozen surplus players that need to be offloaded. The rebuild has several more years to play out and there will be no guarantee of being a contender.
rusty
Roar Rookie
Yeah top 5 picks that could turn out to be spuds. No thanks.