Fremantle will have a new captain in 2023 after Nat Fyfe made the decision to stand aside after six years in the role.
The two-time Brownlow medallist was first voted in by the playing group in 2017 and last season surpassed Peter Bell to become the second-longest serving captain in club history behind legend Matthew Pavlich.
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During his time as captain, the Dockers only made the finals once – last year – but he failed to feature after suffering an injury in Round 23.
“The decision was tough. It has been something I’ve known for the last three or four weeks,” Fyfe said.
“Last year was a challenging year for me individually, but a great year for the club and it started to pave the way for a transition.
“Intuitively, I knew that it was an exciting opportunity for the club for me to step aside and let someone else come through.
“It took a while for the emotions and my mind to line up with my intuition, it feels like I was letting go of a dream in some ways, but once I connected with that feeling, it opens up the possibility for so much more.
“I’m optimistic about what this transition can do for the club.”
The 30-year-old has also completely stepped away from the leadership group.
“By stepping away completely from the leadership group that allows me to focus all my energy on helping our other forwards and learning my craft again,” Fyfe said.
“It also allows someone else to step into the leadership group potentially and give us that fresh push of leadership which will propel us forward.”
Fremantle will announce their captain and leadership group later this season with Alex Pearce and Andrew Brayshaw looming as the likely contenders.
Pearce captained the Dockers 16 times last year in Fyfe’s absence, while Brayshaw and fellow young gun Caleb Serong were also members of the leadership group.
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