Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has declared Nat Fyfe a good chance to make an early return from injury in Saturday’s AFL clash with St Kilda at Metricon Stadium.
Fyfe strained his right hamstring nine days ago in a loss to Gold Coast, but his recovery has been so rapid that he is considered a likely starter against the Saints.
“He’s a good chance to play,” Longmuir told SEN’s Whateley on Monday.
“He’s come along really well and I think that hamstring injury wasn’t as bad as some hamstrings can be.
“He’s progressing really well and is keen to put his hand up this week.
“Clearly he’ll have to get through our training sessions, but we expect him to play at this stage.”
The likely return of Fyfe is a huge boost to a Fremantle unit that celebrated its first win of the season on Sunday.
The Dockers beat Adelaide by 20 points in an error-riddled display, giving Longmuir his first win as a senior coach.
Defender Reece Conca will undergo scans after injuring his hamstring in the third quarter.
Longmuir heaped praise on veteran Michael Walters, who produced a brilliant second half to ensure Fremantle got the win.
Walters tallied just one possession in the first half, but he shone when he was moved into the midfield and he was critical in Fremantle pulling away in the final term.
Longmuir said Walters’ preparation for games is first-class, and the example he sets has a big flow-on effect.
“His training standards are the best we’ve got. I’m really proud to coach him,” Longmuir said.
“He doesn’t waste a kick, doesn’t waste a moment at training to get himself better.
“That’s a great example to set for a lot of our younger players.
“Quite often I’ll get our coaches to drag younger players out of certain drills just to watch Sonny (Walters) go about his business, because it’s just a great example for how you train with purpose and get the best out of each moment.”
St Kilda sit fourth on the ladder following an impressive 3-2 start to the season.