NAT FYFE'S Brownlow Medal successors were unleashed as goalkicking weapons last year, and the Fremantle superstar says he is gearing up to return to his brilliant best by playing an "attacking style" in 2018.
Fyfe's peers Dustin Martin (37 goals) and Patrick Dangerfield (45) bent games to their will when stationed one-out inside 50, and there are growing expectations that Ross Lyon could regularly send his skipper forward.
The rebuilding Dockers desperately need firepower after ranking a lowly 17th and 16th for points scored in the past two seasons, and their skipper – who showed flashes of his former dominance late last season – looms as a dangerous, contested-marking option.
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"I wouldn't say I've put my hand up, but certainly I'm preparing myself to play that more attacking style of play – I think it suits my game," Fyfe said on Wednesday.
"I've come off a year of getting to know my body again after two broken legs.
"I feel a lot more confident in my body and what I can achieve.
"So if I play more in the front half, and help Shane Kersten and Cam McCarthy out, it could be an added weapon."
While Fyfe could "potentially" see himself prowling solo inside 50 next season, that scenario depends on others picking up the slack and covering his absence in midfield.
"I've been trying to spend as much time forward as I can in training," he said.
"But, again, we'll just have to see how the flow of our midfield works.
"We're not sure exactly who our starting six will be in midfield, so if I'm needed in there then I'll spend a lot of time in there.
"But if I can get forward, then I will."
Fyfe and the Dockers were put through their paces in competitive match simulation at their Cockburn headquarters on Wednesday, with No.2 draft pick Andrew Brayshaw impressing with his tenacity and work rate.
During one passage, Brayshaw turned over a kick but quickly made amends by chasing down Cam Sutcliffe moments later, earning his teammates' applause.
"I think what's stood out with Andy and all our first-years is their willingness to learn," Fyfe said.
"We've brought in some great characters and Andy comes from sporting personnel, and obviously a bit of AFL background in his system.
"So these guys all want to learn quickly, adapt to our culture and really bring a lot to Fremantle.
"The good thing about Andy is he's already indicated he wants to play a lot of footy for a number of years at Fremantle, which is exciting for a player like me to know these guys are going to be around for the best part of a decade."
Second-year ruckman Sean Darcy didn't join skills work, instead walking laps with his calf strapped after what Fyfe called a "minor setback".
Veteran big man Aaron Sandilands, 35, moved well throughout the session after hamstring issues restricted him to just 10 games last year.
"Aaron's going to have some challenges at his size and age to play, but if we can get 15 games plus out of Aaron this year it's an unreal advantage for us," Fyfe said.
"But the stuff he's doing educating our other young ruckmen is quite priceless as well."
