Reigning Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe will not play again this AFL season.

Fremantle on Thursday extinguished any slim hope fans held of Fyfe returning to boost the struggling Dockers in 2016, saying they were acting on clear medical advice that he should not play again till next year.

The 24-year-old had surgery last month to insert a plate in his fibula after fracturing his left leg for a second time in Fremantle’s loss to Carlton in round five at Domain Stadium.

The plate that was inserted after Fyfe’s most-recent surgery is due to be removed by the mid to late-season mark, followed a period of rehabilitation.

“It’s disappointing for Nat and our members and supporters, but we will always act in the best long-term interests of a player’s health and well-being,” said Dockers general manager of football operations Chris Bond.

“Our medical advice is that if Nat completes the rehabilitation phase without any setbacks, he will be fit and available to start the 2017 pre-season on schedule.”