Fremantle AFL celebrity Nat Fyfe has revealed he tackled despair and anxiousness final yr as a horror run of accidents took a toll on his psychological well being.
Fyfe stepped down as Dockers captain this week after six seasons within the position, with the membership but to announce a alternative.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Carlton reveal timeframe for record-breaking 17th premiership.
Evaluation, native footy and the largest moments, Seven and 7plus are the house of footy reveals for each fan. Stream all of them without cost on 7plus >>
The choice got here after a season through which the twin Brownlow Medal winner managed simply seven video games because of shoulder, again and hamstring accidents.
Fyfe watched from the sidelines because the Dockers broke a seven-year finals drought, and on Saturday revealed his struggles ran far deeper than the floor.
“What was occurring on the skin, which was accidents, was only a small reflection of what was occurring inside,” Fyfe informed ABC radio.
“I had a good bit to take care of.
“I had a great exhausting have a look at among the illnesses that all of us face as people in life, when it comes to anxiousness, despair and a bunch of these inner emotional issues, which then got here out as accidents.
“I had the shoulder that failed, then I obtained an an infection, then I did my again, then I did a number of hamstrings. Internally I used to be cooked and I used to be simply combating my method by way of it, and I simply saved breaking down.”
Fyfe is bodily match once more and says he has a recent outlook because the 2023 season approaches, with Fremantle taking over St Kilda – and former coach Ross Lyon – in spherical one.
The 209-game champion described his experiences all through 2022 as a “profound instructing surroundings” that made him extra resilient forward of his 14th season on the prime stage.
“When you can undergo that, discover resilience out of it, come out the opposite aspect, I really feel like that is the juice I now want for the backend of my profession,” Fyfe mentioned.
“The previous accolades had been getting stale. There’s solely so lengthy which you can parrot that you are a two-time Brownlow medallist from years in the past.
“They had been beginning to get stale and I had no juice and motivation out of them, so a great exhausting have a look at all-time low has fired me again up once more.”
Fyfe is about to proceed spending extra time in assault this season because the Dockers’ midfield evolves, with younger weapons like Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong taking the reins within the engine room.
The forward-line position will once more put a highlight on Fyfe’s goal-kicking, which has let him down.
He mentioned he’s attempting new coaching methods to enhance his accuracy.
“It is my final energy once I get all of it lined up however it could actually tear me aside when it does not fairly work,” Fyfe mentioned.
“This pre-season I am working with a few completely different folks extra round connecting with that kind of internal voice and that worry, the stress, and getting a great deal with on how one can put your self within the optimum mindset and place to take the shot.”
When you want assist in a disaster, name Lifeline on 13 11 14. For additional details about despair contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636 or discuss to your GP, native well being skilled or somebody you belief.
