SUPERSTAR Nat Fyfe has dismissed speculation that Fremantle's woeful form could impact his decision to re-sign with the club beyond this season.
Fronting the media after Freo's embarrassing 89-point defeat to Port Adelaide and with his side anchored to the bottom of the ladder, the new skipper declared it was time for some "cool heads" with the "blowtorch" on the club.
Fyfe would become the hottest restricted free agent on the market at season's end and although his future is back under the spotlight, the 25-year-old won't make a call based on Freo's on-field performances.
"My contractual position is very consistent. I've stated that my intentions are that I see my future at Freo and that I was always going to wait until a time during the year to sign a contract," Fyfe said.
"So wins and losses aren't going to have any effect on that."
Although Fyfe understood fans' anxiety about his contract, signing an extension isn't on his agenda two games into his return from a broken leg, with his focus on leading Freo out of the mire.
But he reiterated he would address his contract status if he believed the speculation was affecting the playing group.
"Now is the time for some really cool heads. The blowtorch is on our club and it's on me and it's on (coach) Ross Lyon at the moment," Fyfe said.
"But now is the time for some calm, some practical thinking and some strong leadership working through these situations.
"I never have been, and we won't be, dictated to by the external pressure that builds."
The Dockers are the AFL's lowest-scoring side this season and their effort-based game-style has come under scrutiny in an era of ballistic ball movement.
Fyfe acknowledged Freo's skill errors and leaky defensive structure were issues, but backed under-fire coach Lyon to lead the club's revival.
"I'm really comfortable that the playing group is really united and fully behind Ross Lyon and our other assistant coaches," he said.
"There is a strong galvanising effect happening out of what's happening at the club at the moment.
"We're fully supportive of our senior coach and assistant coaches that they have the ability, mentality, philosophy to take us to where we need to go."
While it has been a tough initiation to the captaincy for Fyfe – who has also been targeted physically on gameday – he declared he was "happy to take the heat" and was embracing the challenging start to his tenure.
"I'm passionate about this footy club. I want to help this footy club in any way that I can," Fyfe said.
"This is a high-pressure situation and a new one for me that I'm still coming to grips with, but I'm up for the challenge."
