Fremantle midfielder Nathan Fyfe has hosed down talk the club might only have one more year left in their AFL premiership window, claiming the Dockers are well placed for future glory under coach Ross Lyon.
In their bid for premiership success, Fremantle have added former Demon Colin Sylvia and ex-Bombers forward Scott Gumbleton to their list.
But with skipper Matthew Pavlich, ruckman Aaron Sandilands and defender Luke McPharlin all nearing the end of their decorated careers, 2014 is widely viewed as a make-or-break year for the Dockers.
Pavlich turns 32 later this month, Sandilands turns 31 on Friday, while McPharlin has just turned 32.
Fyfe, who was a strong performer in Fremantle’s 15-point grand final loss to Hawthorn in September, believes the club will be well placed to win a flag even once the decorated trio have retired.
“You see Pav and Aaron and Luke McPharlin running out there today – they’re still fit and able bodies,” Fyfe said at pre-season training this week.
“But as some guys go, new guys come in, and we’ve seen with our drafting team in recent years that they know what they’re doing.
“So our window is definitely not closing.
“We’re in a good position now.
“We’ve had Ross (Lyon) for two years now. This will be our third on his game plan.
“We’re really starting to feel comfortable and accustomed to it. We’re in a healthy stage at the moment.”
Fremantle’s first grand final appearance ended in heartbreak when a poor first half allowed Hawthorn to build a match-winning lead.
Fyfe had two shots on goal sail out on the full in the opening term, but ended up being his team’s best player with 28 possessions.
The 22-year-old said the only vision he’s seen of the match were the few clips shown at the club’s recent awards night.
“It really is old news,” said Fyfe, whose standout season was rewarded with the club’s best and fairest award.
“When you butter up with a heap of new kids on the track it really is a completely new season.
“We’ll definitely take lessons from that game and we’ve probably still got some reviewing to do, but it’s a new year, new faces around, so a fresh start.”
