Dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe goes under the knife in pre-season setback for Dockers
Updated . First published at
Fremantle veteran Nat Fyfe's pre season start date has been delayed, after being forced to undergo knee surgery on Thursday.
The dual Brownlow medallist had arthroscopic surgery after scans revealed minor damage suffered last weekend.
The 33-year-old's scans showed minor damage to cartilage and meniscus only, but the surgery was required to ensure he can play out a full 2025 season.
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Fremantle's general manager of football, Joe Brierty, provided an update on Fyfe's surgery, declaring "bodies" within the knee needed to be removed to help "stabilise" it.
"These bodies can continue to cause issues and surgical removal can provide the most predictable outcome to avoid ongoing symptoms," Brierty said on a club statement on Wednesday.
Nat Fyfe of the Dockers looks dejected after a loss to Geelong in round 22, 2024. AFL Photos via Getty Images
As for how long the midfielder will be sidelined, the club remained positive that it is only a short stint away from training.
"Nat's recovery is dependent on how quickly the knee settles but if all goes well, he will resume strength work and cross-training within a fortnight," Brierty said.
Fyfe had a largely uninterrupted 2024 campaign, playing 22 games for the Dockers, after managing just nine matches a year prior.
It comes as fellow veteran Michael Walters also underwent similar knee surgery over the December break.
Michael Walters and Nat Fyfe both underwent knee surgery on the eve of the 2025 season. Getty
The 34-year-old is also sidelined for at least the next couple of weeks.
"Michael also had an arthroscope completed over the break following some on-going symptoms in his knee," Brierty said.
"Pleasingly, he has recovered well and the plan is to resume in the football program over the next couple of weeks."
Walters has also been named in the AFL's Indigenous all stars team that will face the Dockers in an exhibition match next month.
Fremantle missed out on finals in 2024, after making a semi-final the year before.
