NEWLY crowned AFL Players' Association Most Valuable Player Nat Fyfe says he was stung by the criticism he and the Fremantle midfield copped from coach Ross Lyon after last week's qualifying final loss to the Sydney Swans.

 

The AFL playing fraternity voted the 22-year-old as the best player in the competition on Tuesday night but Fyfe was quick to acknowledge that his performance against the Swans was not up to his usual impeccably high standard.

 

"It stings a little bit when you hear the comments about how the midfield really held the team captive in the first half and we're all aware of that and acknowledge that," Fyfe said on Wednesday.

"So collectively as a group we're really keen to rectify what happened up in Sydney and really have no lapses in (this week's) game, give Port Adelaide no opportunity to take control."

Fyfe gathered 29 touches and kicked a goal in his first game back after a two-week suspension but he was frustrated with his own performance against the Swans.

"I just felt early that my composure and my shakiness with the ball wasn't where it needed to be and finals footy is a real notch up," Fyfe said.

 

"So that is something I really need to work on, being able to handle that early, because we know Port Adelaide is going to bring some fierce pressure and heat, so that will be a focus this week."

 

The Dockers face Port Adelaide for the second time in three matches after beating Port by eight points in round 23 at Patersons Stadium. 

Fyfe did not play in that game however Hayden Ballantyne was a key contributor in the win with four goals and is likely to be absent this week as he recovers from a fractured jaw.

  

"We'll be able to cover him," Fyfe said.

 

"We've got Matty de Boer really stacking up performances in the twos and is ready to come in.

 

"He's a spiritual leader Ballaz, so we'll lose a little bit in that respect, but we're confident we can cover him."

 

Fyfe was also confident fellow midfielder Michael Barlow would recover from his foot problem in time to take his place in the side on Saturday night.

 

"It takes a fair bit to keep Mick out of playing a game," Fyfe said.

 

"So he's been walking around and doing his recovery and whatnot but again he'll have until the last day to put his hand up to play.

 

"I'd back him in to get up."