FREMANTLE will challenge Nat Fyfe’s one-match suspension in a bid to free the two-time Brownlow medallist for Sunday’s crunch clash with Essendon at the MCG.
Fyfe was charged with striking after collecting Eagles midfielder Jai Culley in the face with his right forearm in an attempted block that happened 40m off the ball.
The incident was classified as intentional conduct, low impact and high contact, drawing a one-match suspension.
Fremantle (12-6-1) sits third on the ladder, just percentage adrift of second-placed Brisbane with four rounds remaining.
Fyfe has played 19 games already this season – the most since he notched 20 appearances in 2019.
The 32-year-old is averaging 19.8 disposals and 4.8 clearances this year in a more sacrificial midfield role.
In recent weeks, Fyfe successfully completed shutdown roles on Sydney star Isaac Heeney and Melbourne gun Clayton Oliver.
Fyfe’s sacrifices have allowed the likes of Hayden Young, Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw to star this year.
In other tribunal news, West Coast has accepted the one-match bans handed down to Jack Petruccelle and Jack Hutchinson.
Petruccelle was rubbed out after collecting Sean Darcy high while the Fremantle ruckman slid in to collect a ball.
Hutchinson was banned for collecting Andrew Brayshaw in the head in an incident that was similar to Brayden Maynard’s infamous smother attempt on Angus Brayshaw.
Fourteen players across West Coast and Fremantle, including Brayshaw and Eagles co-captain Oscar Allen, received fines for engaging in a melee in the third quarter.
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