FREMANTLE chief executive Steve Rosich is confident star midfielder Nat Fyfe will re-sign with the Dockers whenever he is ready to do so.
Fyfe is contracted until the end of 2017 but he is set to becoming a restricted free agent once his current deal expires.
Rosich told 6PR on Sunday that the Dockers were happy to sign Fyfe to a long-term deal whenever he was ready.
He said conversations with Fyfe's management were ongoing and he was assured of getting a deal done.
"I'm very confident," Rosich said.
"It's not an issue for the footy club. We know where everything sits.
"Those conversations continue. When the time is right it will get done. If it takes longer than we would like or is expected then that's not an issue, that's just part of the process."
Fyfe travelled to Melbourne last week to have the plates removed from his leg after they were inserted following his second fibula fracture in eight months back in round five.
Rosich said Fyfe was in outstanding shape and was firmly focused on 2017.
"He probably could be playing this week if we took a different stance with him," Rosich said.
"He's fully focused on his preparations for next year. In my conversations with him just recently he's already mapped out his whole pre-season with Jason Weber (Fremantle sports science manager). So that's his focus. If and when it's the right time to sign Nat we'd do it. If he wanted to do that tomorrow we'd be happy to do it."
Rosich also confirmed on Sunday that long-time Fremantle assistant coach and current development coach Peter Sumich had told that club that he would be leaving at the end of the 2016 season to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Sumich joined Fremantle in October 2011 after 11 years as an assistant coach at West Coast. He shifted from a role as a senior assistant coach under Lyon to the head of development this year.
"Peter has informed both myself and Chris Bond and then Ross Lyon that he's going to seek opportunities elsewhere after this season," Rosich said.
"We're comfortable in terms of that being communicated to us and Peter's personal feelings."
Rosich said Fremantle was currently reviewing its coaching structures for next season and Sumich's resignation allows the club to move ahead in its planning.
"We were working through a process which was due to be finished about August in terms of our structures and set-ups for next year, so this allows us to move forward with that in mind as well," Rosich said.
"We're likely to see some changes in roles and process, more about how we think the coaches should be set up for us in the future, but not necessarily significant changes in personnel."
The Dockers have already completed a list management review and are set to have a significant list turnover at the end of this season. Rosich confirmed that the Dockers would implement a list strategy that will be built around the next four NAB AFL Drafts.