Nat Fyfe could be captain of St Kilda in 2018, says Justin Koschitzke
AMPLE conjecture will surround Nat Fyfe’s uncertain future next season, but one former AFL goalkicker predicts the superstar midfielder could be the captain of a Melbourne-based club come 2018.
Fyfe comes out of contract at the end of the 2017 season, but did indicate in August that it would be “remiss” of him not to explore his free agency options before making a decision on his footy future. Those comments came after Freo coach Ross Lyon told Fox Footy’s On The Couch a month earlier that Fyfe “would be a chance to leave” the Dockers if he didn’t believe in the club’s plan moving forward.
Ex-Saints big man Justin Koschitzke said Fyfe would be unlikely to recommit to the Dockers beyond 2017 and that St Kilda would be an ideal fit for both the club and the Brownlow Medallist.
And should Fyfe link up with the Saints, he’d be a strong chance to take on the role of club skipper.
“I just reckon he was a bit unhappy about not being named captain last year after his Brownlow and I think he suits that leadership position,” Koschitzke told EON Sports Radio.
“He’d be a nice fit down there in the red, black and white.
“Roo’s stepped aside and if he was going to be captain, it’d probably be now.”
The most recent big name to move clubs and take up a captaincy role immediately was Chris Judd when he was traded from West Coast to Carlton ahead of the 2008 season.
Koschitzke, Pick 2 from the 2000 national draft, isn’t the first ex-Saint to flag St Kilda as Fyfe’s possible new footy home, after Nathan Burke suggested the club had a plan in place to land a big free agent, like Fyfe, ahead of 2018.
“I just think if he’s out (of contract), they will make a big play for that sort of player,” he said.
“The Saints will be coming into an era where their middle-tier players are going really well.
“They’ve rebuilt well underneath, they’ll just make a big play for a big headline player like (Fyfe).”
“I’d love to see it. He’s that mid-sized player who plays tall and small. He’s as tough as woodpecker lips, so get him over there.”