Why two-time Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe’s farewell game nearly didn’t happen

Next week’s finals fixture...

Semi-final 1: Adelaide v Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval from 7.40pm (AEST) on Friday, September 12
Semi-final 2: Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast at the Gabba from 7.35 (AEST) on Saturday, September 13

The following week...

Preliminary final 1: Collingwood v either Brisbane Lions or Gold Coast, at the MCG
Preliminary final 2: Geelong v either Adelaide or Hawthorn, at the MCG

In an honest and emotional interview after the match, Fyfe revealed he had been in some doubt for the match after rolling his ankle at training on Tuesday.

“When you’re at my age and with the scar tissue, a small ankle injury can turn into a pretty major thing, but it wasn’t too bad,” Fyfe said.

The 33-year-old won two Brownlow medals, three best and fairest awards and three All-Australians during his decorated 248-game career, as well as captaining Fremantle.

But team success eluded him, with the 15-point loss to Hawthorn in the 2013 grand final the closest Fyfe got.

Fyfe was philosophical after his flag dream ended on Saturday night.

“I don’t think I needed anything else from the game,” Fyfe said.

“We all want to win premierships. I do have some contentedness that I tried everything and gave absolutely everything I could to the club and evolved myself along the way.

“In some ways, maybe my journey it was more important for me not to win than to win.

“I just think that’s fitting - the game does not give up its rewards very easily and there’s a lot more times you finish a season heartbroken than the opposite.

“To be able to get back and actually be involved in this game this year ... I’m really grateful I got to play in another final again.”

Fremantle have featured in finals just twice since 2015 – in 2022 and 2025.

But with the bulk of the talent-laden squad still in their early-to-mid 20s, Fyfe sees a bright future ahead.

“We’ve only lost three games of the last 14, we’ve learned to win on the road, we’ve given ourselves every chance of evolving the way you’d like a list to,” Fyfe said.

“I think we genuinely have got the calibre of players in the right profile to have five or six bites at winning a premiership.”

Fyfe has been plagued by injuries in the latter part of his glittering career.

This year alone he dealt with knee, hamstring and calf issues, admitting that he thought he may not be able to come back on numerous occasions.

“The game tried many different times to tell me the end of the road was near and so I walk away knowing this was definitely the right time,” Fyfe said.

“I think I came to a point last year where I felt like I’d turned every stone, given absolutely everything I could.

“Where the story went from there was out of my hands. Hopefully I get some closure and peace of mind that this part of my journey with Fremantle – I did everything I could.

“I finish disappointed in some ways because of the way this season went. But those memories will eventually turn into fond ones for what’s been an amazing experience.”

So, what’s next for Fyfe, a man who has endured 25 surgeries across his career?

“A period of rest,” Fyfe said.

AAP

At this point, Matt’s face was as red as his jumper, but he was smiling too as his mum recounted the game.

“I’m so proud of them all – the boys were freaking enormous because I was so scared when they got ahead,” Louise said.

“I was like, ‘Please God let us win’.

“And the clearance [at the end, pointing at Matt and pumps her fist].”

When asked how she handled the stress of the final term, Louise didn’t hide her reactions.

“Fremantle played so well, and it was a ripper game, but oh my God I would have died if we didn’t win that game,” Louise said.

She also offered thanks by name to a number of Suns officials, wives of staff and others who have helped her son and others after they moved from interstate to the Gold Coast.

“We miss them very much, but we love what they are doing,” Louise said.

“I thought I’d lost us the game a few minutes earlier and for us to win the game was pretty cool,” Swallow told Fox Footy.

“It’s pure joy mate. Just to share that with my teammates and to do it in front of my home [state] crowd is pretty special - I can’t believe it.”

Swallow said he just focused on his kick for goal and now wants to fight to stay in the side.

“I just went through my set shot routine,” Swallow told Fox Footy.

“I didn’t think I had the legs in me, but I managed to get there.

“I will see if I can stay in the team.”