Fremantle coach Ross Lyon isn’t fretting about the prospect of losing Nat Fyfe despite rival clubs getting ready to circle the out-of-contract midfielder.
Fyfe will be in hot demand if he decides to leave Fremantle, with the West Australian likely to attract offers approaching the vicinity of $1 million per season on the open AFL market.
However, the Dockers remain in the box seat to re-sign the 22-year-old, who played a key role in the club’s charge to the grand final last year.
Fyfe is yet to start formal contract negotiations with the Dockers, but Lyon wasn’t getting worried about the situation.
“It doesn’t concern me whatsoever,” Lyon told Perth radio station 6PR.
“We respect everyone’s right to pursue their commercial value.
“From here to the end of the year anything can happen with form and fitness and all those things. It’s not a worry for me. It’s just topical.”
Victorian midfielder David Mundy, defender Luke McPharlin and captain Matthew Pavlich are also out of contract.
Pavlich appears increasingly likely to play on next year, while 32-year-old McPharlin is yet to make a call on his future.
Mundy is at the peak of his powers and is set to attract a number of offers from Victorian clubs.
But given he turns 29 in July, those offers are unlikely to be large enough to tempt him away from Fremantle.
Meanwhile, Lyon is confident star goalsneak Michael Walters will play again this year.
Walters underwent surgery to repair a dislocated tendon in his left ankle last month, but is on track for a return before the finals.
“I’ve got him pencilled in for round 18,” Lyon said.
Walters was shown some tough love by Lyon in 2012 when he was sent back to the WAFL for poor skin folds.
But he is definitely in Lyon’s good books now.
“Are coaches allowed to have favourites? When he walks past my office, I always give him a cuddle,” Lyon said with a laugh.
McPharlin (quad) is a chance to return for Sunday’s clash with the Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, while former Demon Colin Sylvia could come into calculations for a Dockers debut in the coming weeks if injuries or poor form strikes.