Mystery surrounds the fitness of Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe after he appeared to leave the club’s main training session at Cockburn on Saturday morning early.
It comes as the Dockers ramped up their fitness in preparation for their finals tie against the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium next Saturday.
Having returned last weekend from a three-week hamstring injury, Fyfe looked good for much of the session before leaving the pitch with around 30 minutes remaining.
He emerged not long after, but did not rejoin main training and instead completed a series of trials away from the pack.
Camera iconRory Lobb makes a strong tackle on Nathan O’Driscoll. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian
Fyfe didn’t seem fazed by anything and was jovial, chatting to fans from a distance during his breaks.
Earlier, the two-time Brownlow medalist spent a lot of time working as a deeper forward, with fullback Luke Ryan responsible for trying to keep him in check.
Camera IconGriffin Logue was tested on his return from injury. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian
Forward Matt Taberner didn’t seem hampered by a calf injury as he tried to prove his fitness for the final, completing solo work away from the main pack for most of the session.
Fellow strikers Griffin Logue (groin) and Rory Lobb (shoulder) completed most of the session with little trouble as they also attempt to return from injury.
Camera icon Alex Pearce and David Mundy battle it out with glee as teammates Michael Walters, James Aish and Nat Fyfe separate them. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian
Lobb hobbled midway through, but didn’t leave the court and finished with a series of high notes to put his injured shoulder to the test.
In front of hundreds of excited fans, coach Justin Longmuir signaled it would be an intense session and the Dockers delivered.
Camera IconDavid Mundy moves through traffic during the match simulation. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian
There were plenty of scrimmages and mock matches as the players made sure they were fit despite having a week off.
Vice-captain Alex Pearce and retired midfielder David Mundy even had a merry fight which was broken up by Fyfe and striker Michael Walters.
Camera icon A faithful crowd watching at Dockers training. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian
Rebounding guard Jordan Clark told the hundreds of fans watching that it was a tough session.
“No game and we’re going to an elimination final, it’s pretty intense,” Clark said.
Nat Fyfe camera icon during sprints. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian
“It was good to do a solid job today.”
Interestingly, earlier in the session, it was Pearce and not Fyfe who addressed the group before taking part in the mock match.
Camera icon Griffin Logue fights with Luke Ryan. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian
Midfielders Nathan O’Driscoll and Blake Acres, as well as Lobb, were wearing red caps, indicating they were limited in fitness, although as the session progressed this seemed to be ignored.
There were limited numbers on the court with 15 Dockers-listed players set to feature for Peel’s WAFL team in Mandurah later in the day.