From the AFL Captain

NATHAN FYFE

Our 2023 pre-season is underway and it’s great to have everyone back together after a welldeserved break.

It was important for everyone to get away in the off-season, for our interstate players to spend time with their families, and to even head overseas for the first time in a few years.

For me, after an injury riddled year and the stresses that came with that, to be able to refresh was really enjoyable and I’ve returned as motivated as ever for next season and beyond.

The past year was one of mixed emotions for me. It was fantastic to see the team come of age and go from strength to strength, and it was also incredibly humbling to see it happen while I was on the sidelines for significant periods, unable to have an impact on the field.

The team gained valuable experience in big finals games and it gave my leadership a new depth and perspective. It all sets us up for a big 12 months ahead.

This year we got to see Alex Pearce go to a new level, not just as a player but as a leader.

What came through was the genuine care he has for the players, and the whole playing group loves playing for Alex.

Then Andy Brayshaw stepped up again and became the best player on the ground most weeks, setting the standard both in the way he prepares and performs. When things weren’t going our way, the players gravitated towards his energy.

When we add what Caleb Serong achieved as a third-year player, it puts our leadership group in a position of real strength - even after the retirement of David Mundy, whose influence on our group will be felt for years to come.

This allows us to have open conversations about our leadership mix going forward, as we are in a position to adjust that reliance on just one or two leaders. We have a group of guys who can be captain, vice captain or senior leaders every week.

Another big motivator for my pre-season is being surrounded by these young and hungry players who are becoming beasts of the competition.

If I was to list the players that we should be getting excited about in the coming years, it would take up most of the page. And that’s before we look at our trade period acquisitions, with Luke Jackson and Jaeger O’Meara coming straight into the mix, and Josh Corbett having the opportunity to add to our forward line.

As a senior player, but also watching on as a fan, it became clear in 2022 that we are entering a really exciting window.

After going through the experience of 2011 to 2015, I know that you don’t become a good side by accident. It’s something that is built over years and it can take longer than you’d like – a feeling I’m sure our fans can relate to.

What this team achieved last year was no oneoff, but we also can’t put our feet up. We need to do that work again if we’re going to continue our progress.

We’ve done the work with our game plan, we’re well coached by Justin Longmuir and the coaching group, we’re well trained through our strength and conditioning team.

As long as we turn up and do the work, we’ll give ourselves every opportunity to be as good, if not better, than we were last year and have a red hot crack at playing finals footy deep into September.

As a Purple Army, I hope you embrace it and keep wearing your colours and showing your passion.

We’re the counter culture movement in WA that you want to be a part of, so get on board if you’re not already, as there are some big years to come.