{"id":6671,"date":"2025-01-03T22:03:03","date_gmt":"2025-01-03T22:03:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/?p=6671"},"modified":"2025-01-03T22:03:03","modified_gmt":"2025-01-03T22:03:03","slug":"6671-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssoccer.uk\/?p=6671","title":{"rendered":"JUST IN: Fremantle back Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters to play on in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Nat<\/p>\n

Fremantle\u00a0coach Justin Longmuir is backing Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters to play on next year, and he\u2019s confident Sean Darcy can get on top of his injury concerns.<\/p>\n

\"Walters<\/p>\n

The Dockers\u2019 season of promise ended in devastating fashion\u00a0on Sunday when their 13.9 (87) to 9.13 (67) loss against\u00a0Port Adelaide\u00a0consigned them to 10th spot.<\/p>\n

A win would have been enough to secure finals action, but the result summed up Fremantle\u2019s season – competitive throughout but lacking the killer punch when needed.<\/p>\n

Out of the eight games decided by 13 points or less, Fremantle only won one of them.<\/p>\n

Against Port on Sunday, Fremantle were within two points halfway through the final quarter before conceding the final three goals of the match.<\/p>\n

Longmuir said his team\u2019s inability to execute under pressure against the best sides was the reason they missed finals.<\/p>\n

Late-season injuries to Alex Pearce (arm), Josh Treacy (knee) and Darcy (knee) also hurt their cause as the Dockers tumbled from third to 10th.<\/p>\n

Darcy managed just 12 games this year on the back of 15 the season before.<\/p>\n

The 26-year-old, who is contracted until 2030, may need surgery to fix his latest knee issue.<\/p>\n

But Longmuir feels the 203cm ruckman will be able to get his body right and have a big impact in 2025 and beyond.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really confident he can get his body right, get his fitness right, and play a lot of footy for us,\u201d Longmuir said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo long-term, I don\u2019t have any real concerns.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think (Liam) Reidy really applied himself well the last couple of weeks, and if he can keep working on his craft, we\u2019ve got a really strong back up there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fyfe and Walters are both contracted for next year.<\/p>\n

Although Fyfe managed 22 games this year \u2014 the equal most of his career \u2014 he is now a fringe member of the midfield rather than the star who won two Brownlow medals.<\/p>\n

Concerns over Fyfe\u2019s kicking have also been a common theme this year, but his big body in the clearances is still considered a weapon.<\/p>\n

There has been some speculation he might retire despite having a contract for next year.<\/p>\n

Walters managed just 17 goals in 17 games this year, and was twice cut down by hamstring injuries in the second half of the season.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re contracted for next year,\u201d Longmuir replied when asked about the futures of Walters and Fyfe.<\/p>\n

\u201cFyfe has played a lot of footy for us, and I think he\u2019s played a really important role for us.<\/p>\n

\u201cSonny\u2019s had his injury interruptions the second half of the year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think when they\u2019ve been fully fit they\u2019ve impacted the team this year, and I don\u2019t see any reason why they couldn\u2019t do it next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fremantle will now turn their attention to luring a key X-factor player who could help push the side to premiership glory.<\/p>\n

Sydney star Chad Warner and Richmond speedster Shai Bolton have both been heavily linked to the Dockers.<\/p>\n

Warner is contracted with the Swans until the end of 2025, while Bolton is contracted until 2028.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s understood Bolton has indicated his desire to return home to WA, but Warner could be harder to pry out from flag contenders Sydney despite his links to WA.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Fremantle\u00a0coach Justin Longmuir is backing Nat Fyfe and Michael Walters to play on next year, and he\u2019s confident Sean Darcy can get on top of his injury concerns. The Dockers\u2019 season of promise ended in devastating fashion\u00a0on Sunday when their 13.9 (87) to 9.13 (67) loss against\u00a0Port Adelaide\u00a0consigned them to 10th spot. A win would 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