Fremantle great Nat Fyfe will retire at the end of the AFL season after a gruelling run with injury.
The two-time Brownlow medallist called time on his glittering 16-year career on Monday.
Knee, hamstring and calf injuries have kept the 33-year-old to just five games so far as the fourth-placed Dockers look to seal a spot in finals.
Fyfe says he is at peace with his 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.
Fremantle great Nat Fyfe (right) has decided to hang up his footy boots following a glittering career
Knee, hamstring and calf injuries have kept the 33-year-old (right) to just five games so far as the fourth-placed Dockers look to seal a spot in finals
‘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.’
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.
‘When he arrived at the Club back in 2009, it was clear he had raw talent.
‘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.’
It came after Fremantle defender Brennan Cox lauded Fyfe’s class while the Freo skipper was dealing with the fallout from a warm-up injury.
He hailed him as an inspiration.
Fyfe, who has been working his way back from an injury, has been hailed as an inspiration by his team-mates
Fyfe’s durability was put in the spotlight when he injured his calf while warming up as the sub during the half-time break of the club’s round-16 win over St Kilda.
The two-time Brownlow medallist was set to feature in just his fourth AFL match since recovering from a hamstring injury, and the calf setback led some to wonder whether Fyfe, who last played in the finals in 2015, would make it back in time for this year’s premiership push.
The 33-year-old dispelled those fears by producing a stunning 27-disposal display in less than three quarters of WAFL action last week.
The performance was good enough for Fyfe to earn a call up for Saturday night’s clash with Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, most likely as the sub.
‘He’s a guy with heaps of wisdom,’ Cox said.
‘So to have him come into the group, wherever it may be – up forward, midfield, maybe get eased into the sub role like he did last time – is super.’
Fyfe is 244 games into his decorated career, and injuring his calf during a half-time warm-up would have been hard to cop with finals not far away.
But instead of moping about his bad luck, Fyfe worked diligently on his rehab while also supporting his teammates.
Fyfe says he is at peace with his decision. He revealed on Monday he has been having thoughts about retiring for the past 12 months
It didn’t go unnoticed.
‘He’s been nothing but upbeat,’ Cox said.
‘He hasn’t for one second looked sad for himself, or anything like that.
‘He’s been super and it makes you look up to him even more, just seeing the way he’s gone about it.’
Fremantle skipper Alex Pearce (shin) has also been named to return for what will be just his second match in the past 10 weeks.
The Dockers (14-6) have won 10 of their past 11 games to put themselves in the frame for a prized top-four berth.
A big part of their good form has been down to their potent forward line, which features spearheads Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss and Patrick Voss.
The trio kicked three goals apiece last week as Fremantle came from 24 points behind to beat Carlton by 27 points.
‘I love seeing them chase down blokes,’ Cox said.
‘Having them up there with that bit of mongrel and starting fights and stuff – it’s good to watch. And it does lift the boys.’
Port Adelaide (8-12) have endured a disappointing campaign in coach Ken Hinkley’s last season, and former skipper Travis Boak announced this week he will be retiring at the end of the year.
The Power welcome back skipper Connor Rozee, forward Jack Lukosius and goalsneak Willie Rioli.
