Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir reflects on Nat Fyfe’s comeback against GWS as he mulls WAFL cameo

Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
CommentsComments
Camera IconFremantle are weighing up playing Nat Fyfe in the WAFL. Credit: Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is confident key-position trio Matt Taberner, Rory Lobb and Griffin Logue will all line up in the Dockers’ finals opener, with Taberner a chance to team up with Nat Fyfe at WAFL level next weekend.

Logue was a late withdrawal from Freo’s win over GWS due to an adductor issue, leaving his side thin on tall options in the absence of Taberner (calf) and Lobb (shoulder).

Longmuir described Taberner as “touch and go” to potentially join Fyfe in the WAFL during the pre-finals bye, and was confident about leading goal-kicker Lobb’s fitness.

“The pre-finals bye will make a big difference,” Longmuir said about Logue.

Read more...

“He was close. We gave him every opportunity and he just missed and I didn’t want to put him at further risk.

“We’re hopeful he improves pretty quickly and can train by the end of the week.

“I’m pretty confident Lobby will be right fitness-wise in terms of not needing another hit-out, Tabs will be touch and go for this week.

“Tucks (unused medical substitute Darcy Tucker) and Hughesy (travelling emergency Ethan Hughes) were our carry overs so we’ll get some minutes into them.”

In just his sixth game of the year and his first appearance since a hamstring injury against Richmond in round 19, Fyfe finished with nine disposals, three tackles and a behind playing predominantly forward with bursts in the engine room.

Longmuir said Fyfe was “important without getting a lot of touches” and highlighted his importance off the ball in his team’s come-from-behind victory.

Camera IconFremantle believe Rory Lobb should be ready for finals. Credit: Paul Kane/via AFL Photos

“He just brings a bit of physicality with his body size, he likes hitting bodies and he makes the opposition be a bit reactive as well,” he said.

“It was probably a ‘nearly’ game for him. He showed a lot but probably just didn’t finish his work off.”

Freo’s coach and captain will have a discussion about the merits of a WAFL appearance for Peel Thunder against West Coast in Mandurah on Saturday. It would be the second time the dual Brownlow medallist has featured for the Thunder after making his long-awaited return from back and shoulder issues in June.

“We’ll see how he pulls up and see what his gut feel is and if he feels he needs it,” Longmuir said. “We’ll cross that bridge when it comes to it.”

The Dockers will be sweating on Sunday’s results for their premiership hopes. A loss from Collingwood or Sydney would allow Freo to hold onto their top-four spot.

Longmuir described the victory over the Giants as one of maturity, coming back from 31 points down late in the first half.

Camera IconJustin Longmuir described the victory over the Giants as one of maturity. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

“I think it probably shows our level of maturity this year,” Longmuir said.

“I don’t think we panicked. Clearly we were getting dominated early and they were proactive and led us to the ball.

“I thought a few of our leaders, in particularly our young leaders, stood up and started to get a bit physical in that second quarter.

“Through our physicality, we started getting the game played in our front half and got ourselves into the game which showed the maturity of our group to stay on task and remain process orientated and in the moment and find a way to get back in touch.”

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails