SUPERSTAR Nat Fyfe's stunning performance against Gold Coast was just the Fremantle skipper "doing what he does well", according to coach Ross Lyon.
The 2015 Brownlow medallist was back to his brilliant best in Saturday's 28-point win over Gold Coast and returned a remarkable stat line.
WATCH: Dominant Fyfe leads the way
Fyfe collected 38 touches – 25 contested – with a massive 15 clearances, eight tackles, seven inside 50s and a goal.
Incredibly, it could have been even better if the 26-year-old had converted two behinds into majors.
This was Fyfe at his destructive best around clearances, bullying smaller opponents and commanding the air with his acrobatic leaping.
FYFE-TASTIC: Full match coverage and stats
But what has impressed Lyon the most is the captain's growing leadership capability and more precise kicking.
"We're a different team and I think he's a slightly different player (to 2015) and he's now the captain," Lyon said post-match.
"But he's just doing what he does well. Clearance work, contested ball work and marking well and working hard without the ball.
"I think he's really improved his disposal, his kicking efficiency, he's a bit more dangerous with the ball in hand.
"I'm really pleased that he's growing to be a leader."
WATCH: Ballantyne gets Freo rolling
Lyon declared he always felt Fremantle was in control of Saturday's match, despite the Dockers leaving the door ajar with an inaccurate 5.10 to half time.
Gold Coast was level at the main break and pushed ahead early in the third term, not that Lyon was too bothered.
"Oh, did they? I wouldn't have even known they got eight points in front, really honestly," Lyon said.
"I never felt threatened of losing the game.
"I knew they were in it. What you worry about is if you don't execute properly it can be costly, and you can get bitten.
"It was just the efficiency of the last bit and a bit of composure. We were playing pretty quick, but there's times you just need to slow when you've got a free player and not stuff it up, basically.
"We just stuffed up a few things we shouldn't have stuffed up."
WATCH: Ross Lyon's full post-match media conference
Lyon enjoyed Alex Pearce's battle with Suns spearhead Tom Lynch, who lowered his colours to the Dockers defender.
Pearce has had just two goals kicked on him in three rounds (one by Charlie Dixon, the other by Lynch) in a superb comeback from complications with his broken leg.
"I know how good Alex is and I thought at times, 'gee, Lynch is a good player'," Lyon said.
"All credit to Lynch and I thought Alex worked defensively quite strongly.
"There was some concern (how he would come back from injury). There's a bit of unknown.
"He's probably a management issue for a fair while."
Lyon played down concerns over Michael Walters' wrist injury after it was stood on, insisting the star would be fine to face Greater Western Sydney in Canberra.
However, giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands is in doubt after being reported for a high bump on Jarryd Lyons.
"We really value Aaron. We'd love Aaron to play (next week)," Lyon said.
"It would concern me if Aaron misses."
