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Fyfe considers Dockers leadership

Fyfe considers Dockers leadership

Fremantle star Nathan Fyfe says he would be happy to be Fremantle’s next captain if the player group voted for him.

Fyfe, speaking at the announcement of his new three year $2.5 million contract which will keep him at Fremantle until at least the end of the 2017 season, said he didn’t “necessarily “aspire” to be Dockers captain but would take the role if it was what players wanted.

“I think the beauty of our leadership system is that it is player voted for. Ultimately if the player group want me to lead them then I will have no problems in doing that,” he said.

Fyfe said there was never any serious doubt that he would sign with the Dockers, despite months of speculation about his future. The news of his new deals was unveiled exclusively by thewest.com.au last night.

“I definitely took the time with my family and management to weigh up all of the options and Fremantle is the best fit for me. I love playing here,” he said.

“The culture that is building here at this club is really strong. It is a player driven culture with high accountability and high standards. It is great to be a part of.”

“I am keen to be a part of that going forward.”

He paid tribute to Fremantle and his manager Jason Dover, who are understood to have thrashed out a deal in less than two days after Fyfe gave talks the go-ahead last week.

“With my last contract I left it pretty late as well until I had all of the information at hand. I did the same with this one and full credit to the Fremantle footy club, Steve Rosich, Brad Lloyd and also Jason Dover and Stride Sports Management who sat down in a professional way and just got it done,” he said.

It is understood that GWS made a multi-million dollar offer informally in a bid to keep Fyfe on the market but Fyfe said no formal offer came to him from a rival club.

“There were no formal contracts put to me as such. Anything that was put forward was put to my manager but three years was the best fit,” he said.

“My last contract extension was three years as well. If it was any longer than that there is the possibility of complacency. Three years was just the best fit. My family and my manager were really happy with that as well.”

“I think it suits both sides. Obviously commercially with the free agency window it brings me out as an eight year player and Fremantle will have the first option to retain me as a free agent.”

Averaging better than 26 touches a game this year Fyfe said the contract hasn’t been a distraction for him.

“Personally it hasn’t been that big a distraction. Footy clubs are great at keeping players insulated and focussed on the task at hand which is playing footy week in and week out,” he said.

The Dockers also announced a four-year extension to their major sponsorship arrangement with Programmed, taking the staff provider's link to the club as a major sponsor out to 10 years.