Lyon insists skipper Fyfe will be ready for round one

AFL: Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has backed Nat Fyfe to be fit and firing for round one despite the skipper failing to play a pre-season match for the Dockers.

Fyfe underwent minor surgery on his right elbow shortly after appearing in the AFLX tournament on February 22.

The 27-year-old missed last Monday’s pre-season loss to Collingwood and has also been ruled out of tomorrow’s clash against West Coast.

But Lyon is adamant Fyfe will be raring to go for the club’s round one clash with North Melbourne on March 24.

“The recommendation from the surgeon was for Nathan not to play (the Eagles),” Lyon said.

“He’ll be training (on Friday), he will just be on no contact.

“His history is that he can perform really well. He’s had a big summer, he played AFLX and he’ll be good to go.

“If it was round one (this weekend), he’d be playing.”

Although the AFLX tournament was largely bruise-free footy, Lyon said it had helped Fyfe prepare for the season proper.

“We counted AFLX as a hitout,” Lyon said.

“I read (Patrick) Dangerfield’s comment that you couldn’t even celebrate a goal as it was that quick and intense.

“That was a really good hitout, probably more intense than the intraclub we played (the same day), so we feel that he’s had one.”

Ruckman Sean Darcy (back/ hamstring) and former Tiger Reece Conca (knee) have been named to play against West Coast but will need to pull up well from training today.

Tomorrow’s game will pit Andrew Brayshaw against Andrew Gaff for the first time since the fiery round 20 derby last year.

Gaff copped an eight-week ban after that match for a punch that broke the jaw of Brayshaw.

Brayshaw has since forgiven Gaff and says he will shake hands with the Eagle before the bounce.