“Intuitively, I knew that it was an exciting opportunity for the club for me to step aside and let someone else come through.

Loading

“It took a while for the emotions and my mind to line up with my intuition, it feels like I was letting go of a dream in some ways, but once I connected with that feeling, it opens up the possibility for so much more.

“I’m optimistic about what this transition can do for the club.”

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir Fyfe had led the plumb with aplomb over his six years as captain.

“Over the last three years he’s really supported me, as a new coach,” Longmuir said.

“He’s led by example, he’s really invested in the future of our footy club, he’s led and embedded our new trademark amongst our playing group, and I stand here really confident that although he’s standing aside, he’s going to be able to support the new leadership of our group.”

Fyfe told media on Tuesday afternoon the opportunity to step away and “reinvent my game” was exiting.

He admitted giving up the dream of becoming the club’s first premiership captain was difficult, however, he believed it was a step in the right direction for Fremantle to finally claim a flag.

Vowing to lead from behind, Fyfe said his focus was now on helping nurture the next generation of Dockers leaders, as well as becoming the best forward he could for the club.

He said it was an “enormous honour” to be voted captain for six years, and his proudest moment remained last year’s win over the Western Bulldogs in the first round of the finals – even though he wasn’t on field to be a part of it.

And, while he believed his time as captain had run its natural course, Fyfe had no regrets over the past six years.

“It’s really easy to look at what you didn’t achieve ... but when I took over, we were on the bottom of the ladder,” he said.

“And we had a real list turnover in front of us, the worst days were still to come, and I guess I hand over in a position now where it feels like we’re pressing for the pointy end of the season.

“So in that capacity I feel like I did my job ... I sit here really comfortable that I gave everything I could to this role while I was a leader, I’ve got no regrets at all.”