Dockers bid to clear Fyfe for crunch clash with Bombers

Fremantle will challenge Nat Fyfe's one-match suspension in a bid to free the two-time Brownlow medallist for Sunday's crunch AFL clash with Essendon at the MCG.

Fyfe was charged with striking after collecting Eagles midfielder Jai Culley in the face with his right forearm in an attempted block that happened 40m off the ball.

The incident was classified as intentional conduct, low impact and high contact, music62 drawing a one-match suspension.


Vision of the incident website pic.twitter.com/qOl29AcecM

- Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) July 28, 2024

"I was a bit surprised," Fremantle midfielder Caleb Serong said of Fyfe's suspension. 

"I knew there were going to be a lot of fines coming out of the game, but didn't realise there would be any suspensions

"Even the vision, I couldn't really see it. Hopefully all goes well and he gets off."

Fremantle (12-6-1) sit third on the ladder, just percentage adrift of second-placed Brisbane with four rounds remaining.

Essendon (10-8-1) are 10th and fighting to keep their finals hopes alive.

Fyfe has played all 19 games this season - the most since he notched 20 appearances in 2019.

The 32-year-old is averaging 19.8 disposals and 4.8 clearances this year in a more sacrificial midfield role.

In recent weeks, Fyfe successfully completed shutdown roles on Sydney star Isaac Heeney and Melbourne gun Clayton Oliver.

His sacrifices have allowed the likes of Hayden Young, Serong and Andrew Brayshaw to star this year.

If Fyfe is ruled out, it could open the door for Neil Erasmus or Will Brodie to earn a recall, with the pair in hot form in the WAFL.

"For us, we've got a next man up mentality," Serong said. 

"We've got Neil Erasmus and Will Brodie in the WAFL that are playing some serious footy, and they have all year.

"Or if it's someone else coming up and playing a little bit of inside time - Switta (Sam Switkowski) has done that, Luke Jackson has played a little bit of inside time.

"So if we need to mix the magnets around, everyone knows the role and everyone can contribute."

In other tribunal news, West Coast have accepted the one-match bans handed down to Jack Petruccelle and Jack Hutchinson.

Petruccelle was rubbed out after collecting Sean Darcy high while the Fremantle ruckman slid in to collect a ball.

Hutchinson was banned for collecting Andrew Brayshaw in the head in an incident that was similar - but not as serious - to Brayden Maynard's infamous smother attempt on Angus Brayshaw.

Fourteen players across West Coast and Fremantle, including Brayshaw and Eagles co-captain Oscar Allen, received fines for engaging in a melee in the third quarter.

Adelaide's Max Michalanney can escape with a $2500 fine for striking Hawthorn's Dylan Moore on Sunday.

Michalanney was also one of three Adelaide players to be fined for engaging in a melee, with three Hawthorn players also copping a hit to the hip pocket.