Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe is unfazed by his fellow AFL club captains’ unanimous dismissal of his side’s likelihood of playing finals this season.

The Dockers were one of five teams snubbed in the league’s annual captains’ poll, with no rival skippers predicting the port club will make the top eight.

The Western Bulldogs, Carlton, Gold Coast and St Kilda were also collectively tipped to miss out.

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But Fyfe is always the “eternal optimist” and has been buoyed by a strengthening of the Dockers’ key position stocks over the off-season with the arrival of Jesse Hogan and Rory Lobb.

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“Our last couple of years historically show that we’re in a developing position,” Fyfe said.

“I don’t think anyone’s ruling us out of being able to play finals, I think there are other teams in a better position, but if things go right for us and we’re in the slot with availability and form we can definitely play finals this year.

“I’m always the eternal optimist because being anything but that serves no purpose.

“There’s always a pragmatic understanding of where we’re at.

“We’re thin in our midfield somewhat this year with Lachie Neale going and having Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra in those high-demand positions.

“But other than that, our back line and our forward line are going to give teams some grief.”

Fyfe was hopeful Fremantle would surpass the eight wins they have achieved in each of the past two seasons.

“We try not to put a number on it … but if you did want a linear progression, it would be around that 10-12 wins plus mark and I think you need 15-odd wins to be playing finals,” Fyfe said.

“We’re hopeful of a winning season – more wins than losses – but we’ll see as the season unfolds with availability.”

Fyfe and Carlton co-captain Patrick Cripps were rated by fellow club skippers joint second behind Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield in their Brownlow Medal tips.

Fyfe has recovered from elective surgery on his sore right elbow and has worked on strengthening his hamstrings after a serious injury late last season.

The 27-year-old utility is primed to hit the ground running against North Melbourne in round one.

“The elbow is 100 per cent now and other than that I’ve had a pretty seamless pre-season,” Fyfe said.

“I’m in a pretty good position and our team is looking like it’s shaping up well.”