Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe's eagerly anticipated return to AFL has been one of the most scrutinised stories in Western Australian football this season.

Much of the discussion was around where he would play on the field and whether he could fit into a team that was firing on all cylinders without disrupting its balance. 

"He is a big-bodied player, he's had a lot of seasons through the middle," former West Coast premiership coach Mick Malthouse said on ABC Perth's Sports Talk program on Saturday morning.

"Fremantle has been troubled in the wet against bigger bodies.

"That's where you have him in the middle, but outside of that you probably have to play him forward, you could even play him off half-back.

"There's a lot of juggling."

Those questions were answered several hours later as the dual Brownlow Medallist took on Hawthorn in his first AFL game in almost a year, after shoulder surgery and a back injury derailed his pre-season.

Over the past five years, Fyfe has played predominantly in the midfield, with 16 per cent of his game time spent as a forward.

He was named in the forward pocket on the Dockers team sheet, but started the game in the centre against Hawks gun Tom Mitchell, and had an impact at the opening bounce.

His first stint in attack came with eight minutes remaining in the first quarter, and he provided the final handball in Lachie Schultz's first goal. 

It was a solid return from Fyfe, as he collected 22 disposal and six clearances, and kicked a goal.

His comments after the game highlighted how the team had evolved while he was injured.

"It's not the same as when I finished playing last time," Fyfe said on Fox Footy.

"I said to Caleb (Serong) and Andy (Brayshaw) 'treat me like a first gamer, tell me where to go, set me up.'

"And they did that. They told me where to set up at stoppages and that was a nice feeling."

His setpiece goal kicking left something to be desired, but his size, strength and marking prowess still made him a threat in attack.

Fyfe's return had raised the suggestion either Brayshaw, Serong or Will Brodie would be squeezed out of the midfield, but Brayshaw and Serong in particular seemed unaffected by his presence.

Brayshaw finished with 37 disposals and a goal, while Serong collected 33 touches, including a career high 20 contested possessions.

Brodie was solid with 22 disposals, while veteran David Mundy spent some time on the wing, and finished with 23 touches.

Fremantle have a bye next weekend, and indicated during the week that Fyfe wouldn't go back to Peel Thunder despite having only played two games on his return from injury.

How much impact he has on the premiership ambitions of the Dockers will become clearer as he builds his fitness, and the side adjusts to his presence.