ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson is usually a pretty calm and collected character.

But one site from a rival superstar player the opening weekend of the JLT Community Series left him “fearful”.

Richardson was mightily impressed by the performance of Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe as his Fremantle Dockers narrowly went down to Adelaide on Sunday. He booted two goals from 27 disposals, 13 contested possessions, eight clearances and seven inside 50s.

During the early stages of the game, Fyfe played as a genuine centre half-forward, leading hard up to the ball and winning possessions in dangerous areas.

Round 18

Hawthorn great and Fox Footy expert Dermott Brereton declared in commentary that Fyfe was already the favourite for the Brownlow Medal.

Asked if Fyfe’s performance was exciting, Richardson told 3AW’s Sportsday: “I’m not sure I’d use the word exciting, (but) that was fearful at times.

“He just looks like he’s going to get the ball.

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Nat Fyfe dominated against Adelaide. Source: Getty Images

“Geelong did it with Dangerfield last year a bit … he looked like he was going to get the ball and score. Fyfe’s definitely got that ability.”

Fyfe booted 17 goals or more in four of his past five seasons, including a career-high 24 back in 2014.

But as well as playing in the forward 50 on Sunday, Fyfe was able to push into the midfield and stoppages to have a real impact to finish with team-high clearance numbers.

Dual North Melbourne premiership player David King said Fyfe could improve significantly in 2018, but added that Fremantle coach Ross Lyon had a mini dilemma on his hands.

“I think the scope for this guy is enormous. Fyfe could kick 50 goals this year if he was to play 50 per cent forward, 50 per cent on ball,” King told SEN on Monday.

“Can they afford for him to be that player? Richmond bit the bullet last year and said: ‘We trust those around Dustin Martin to get the job done and leave Dustin forward when we need the game to be won’. And I’m sure Ross Lyon would be thinking we need exactly the same.

“I think Fyfe will spend a major part of his time in the forward line.”

Fyfe averaged the second-most AFL Player Rating points of any player across the last two seasons, while being involved in 34.8 per cent of the Dockers’ scoring chains.

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