Former Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has suggested that “maybe it’s time” for Fremantle to appoint a younger captain to lessen the load on current skipper Nat Fyfe.
The 29-year-old endured another injury-interrupted season in 2021, with his season brought to an end prematurely due to a shoulder injury.
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Following Richmond captain Trent Cotchin’s decision to step down as skipper, the question was put to Lyon, Fyfe’s old coach, whether this summer would be the right time for the Dockers skipper to mirror Cotchin.
“I’m not sure. If Nathan wants to lead, I think he’s good enough to drag them through,” Lyon told Nine’s Footy Classified.
“But he carries enormous responsibility and it just might lighten the load on him. He’ll still lead, but it’s up to others to drive the standards. You’ve got [David] Mundy there and Fyfe, you’ve got the support, maybe it’s time.
“I think [Andrew] Brayshaw is a bit young [but] could do it and Alex Pearce could certainly do it.”
Lyon’s comments came after Fyfe spoke to the media for the first time since having season-ending shoulder surgery, declaring that he would be able to partake in a full pre-season.
Fyfe also indicated that he intends to play a role in the club’s list decisions over the off-season.
“I’m always turned in,” he said.
“I missed the last four weeks of the season so I got to spend a lot of time in Melbourne working with our recruiters and list management and I got a bit of a handle of what the architecture of what our list looks like for next year.”