Fremantle head coach Justin Longmuir has bit back at comments that Nat Fyfe should hand over the captaincy, defending the current skipper to lead the club's young list into a new era.
Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes claimed in a recent article published by The West Australian that Fyfe should hand over the captaincy to young and talented midfielder Andrew Brayshaw.
Longmuir hit back at Cornes' comments, claiming Fyfe is the right man to lead the team forward with their young list when speaking on 7 News Perth.
"I just don’t buy into that," Longmuir stated unequivocally.
"Nathan gets criticised on all parts of his game and all parts of his leadership.
"The thing I’m seeing from Nathan inside the four walls of the football club is he’s bringing along these young leaders really well and allowing them to develop under his tutelage.
"Nathan’s our captain – and that will stay the same."
The two-time Brownlow medallist has been the captain of the Dockers since 2017 and has shown no indication of giving up the captaincy.
Fyfe has been out of the side and hasn't suited up in the purple and white so far in 2022 due to undergoing a microdiscectomy to release pressure on his spine, and has put Round 8 as his goal to return to the side.
Longmuir is set to return to the coaches box this weekend after a two-week stint on the sidelines due to the AFL's health and safety protocols, and is excited to be back.
"It’s good to be over the virus and good to be back at work," Longmuir said.
The Dockers travel to Melbourne this round to face the Bombers at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with Caleb Serong, Darcy Tucker and Alex Pearce all a chance to return to the side.
