ROSS Lyon believes the odds are in Fremantle's favour that skipper Nat Fyfe will re-sign with the club beyond this season.
Speaking for the first time since a Perth radio host claimed Fyfe had verbally agreed a $1.5m a year deal to join St Kilda – a report immediately dismissed by the Brownlow medallist's management – Lyon was glowing about his captain's commitment to Freo.
Lyon was also confident the Dockers have provided an environment where the 25-year-old superstar would want to stay.
"I have no expectations. I don't set it too high and I don't get disappointed," Lyon told Channel Seven when asked about Fyfe's future beyond this season.
"He's fully committed, he's with us – possession is nine-tenths of the law – and he's our captain.
"We love him, he loves Perth, he loves his family, so I would think the odds are in our favour.
"But we've got to be commercial, provide an environment … at the end of the day it's not my job to sign Nathan.
"My job is to provide an environment that he enjoys playing in, growing in and improving in and we feel we've done that over a long period of time."
Fyfe will become a restricted free agent at season's end if he doesn't put pen to paper on a contract extension, and he has attracted huge interest from rival suitors.
AFL.com.au reported in March that at least two opposition clubs were prepared to make long-term offers of close to $1.5 million per season for the gun midfielder.
Lyon has repeatedly praised Fyfe's attitude this season amid the speculation about his future.
"He is down to business," Lyon said.
"He's one of the great preparers in the AFL, he's a wonderful captain. He's been leading us strongly along with David Mundy and the other leaders.
"It's (speculation) not something I concern myself with and I wouldn't have thought Nathan does as well.
"That's just the reality of free agency and restricted free agents, every club deals with it.
"We'll just work our way through it. In the fullness of time we'll all know the result."
Fyfe has consistently said he sees his future with the Dockers but wanted to get back to playing football after breaking his leg before starting contract talks.
The brilliant onballer has been impressive this season, averaging 27 disposals and six clearances after missing most of last year through injury.
