Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has called for Nat Fyfe to be given a “fair crack” by the umpires, saying the two-time Brownlow medallist is being unfairly treated by opponents.

Fyfe tallied just 11 disposals in last week’s 38-point loss to GWS – his lowest tally in a full game since his debut season in 2010.

The 28-year-old was targeted throughout the match, with his opponent Matt de Boer often scraggling him at the stoppages.

The Dockers believe Fyfe has copped similar treatment in many other games.

Fremantle haven’t raised the issue with the umpiring department this week given the short turnaround ahead of Wednesday night’s clash with Richmond at Metricon Stadium.

“But if it continues we need to follow it up, because I think he’s unfairly treated,” Longmuir said.

“I think other mids in the comp are looked after more than him.

“I think the way he goes about his business masks a lot of the treatment that he gets because he just gets on with his business.

“He doesn’t dwell on it, he doesn’t look for fights, he doesn’t look to argue with umpires.

“The way he handles himself on the field with the treatment he gets is first class, but it’s been going on for a while and all we ask is he gets a fair crack at it.”

Longmuir said it was also up to other Dockers players to protect Fyfe when they notice he’s getting a hard tag.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick hinted he wouldn’t be employing a hard tag on Fyfe in Wednesday’s match.

“He’s one of the best players in the competition, so we’ll have a couple of contingencies up our sleeve if it does get out of hand,” Hardwick said.

“But we’ll back in our system first and foremost and have Nat play on some of our guys as well.

“We’re really blessed to have some good midfield talent going through there in good form. So he’ll have to defend us as well and we’ll have to defend him.”