FREMANTLE has revealed Nat Fyfe fractured the fibula in his left leg early in the first quarter of Friday night’s preliminary final loss to Hawthorn.

The star midfielder appeared hobbled for most of the clash at Domain Stadium and had scans on Saturday.

Hawks too strong for sloppy Dockers

After starting the game against the Hawks on the interchange bench, Fyfe received a knock to his troublesome lower left leg in his first contest and was limping during the match.

On Sunday, the Dockers said a specialist had recommended a plate be inserted to aid Fyfe’s healing process.

Fremantle’s general manager of football operations Chris Bond said: “It is a fairly minor procedure and, given the duration of the player off-season period, our medical advice at this stage is that the recovery and rehabilitation process will not affect Nat’s 2016 pre-season.”

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Fyfe missed the last two rounds of the home and away season with inflammation in the fibula in his left leg – a condition known as periostitis – before returning for the Dockers' qualifying final win over the Sydney Swans.

When contacted by AFL.com.au on Sunday, a Fremantle spokesman declined to comment on whether Fyfe's leg fracture was related to the left leg concerns he experienced in rounds 22 and 23.

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Fyfe appeared in distress after receiving the knock to his leg early in the first term against the Hawks, but managed to play out the game.

The 24-year-old ended the preliminary final with 24 disposals, a match-high nine clearances and six tackles as the Dockers bowed out of the finals.

Fyfe remains the favourite to claim Monday night's Brownlow Medal despite missing four of the last six matches of the season through injury.