FREMANTLE skipper Nat Fyfe says he is "pretty close" to ending months of speculation and committing his playing future to the Dockers.
And the superstar midfielder has declared himself ready to face St Kilda on Sunday after missing last round's two-point loss in Geelong due to a bruised sternum.
Fyfe is out of contract at season's end, when he would become a restricted free agent, but the 25-year-old is in talks with the Dockers about a lucrative new deal and is close to putting pen to paper.
It is expected the powerful onballer will sign a deal worth at least $1-1.2m per season.
"My management and the club are in discussions and now that the CBA has been finalised all parties are in a better position to sit down and work it out, and I'm quite hopeful something will be done in the coming weeks," Fyfe told Channel Seven.
"I think it's pretty close."
The 2015 Brownlow medallist's signature will be a major fillip to the rebuilding Dockers, who have shown a commitment to securing their homegrown talent and attracting West Australian players back to their home state.
Although Fyfe admits he has struggled to get back to his best form this season – he is averaging 25 touches and has kicked 10 goals from 12 games - the 190cm Lake Grace product is one of the AFL's biggest superstars when fully fit.
Fyfe has had to come to grips with the game again after missing most of last year with a broken leg, and has been playing with a bruised sternum recently.
"It's safe to say (my form) has been a little bit scratchy. I'm learning to get back to my best and deal with my body and the changes that have happened there – and adapt to a new group around me," he said.
"I'd like to be playing a little bit better, but I'm doing everything in my power to get back to that form.
"There's nine weeks left of this season and a number of seasons ahead to do that."
Fyfe was close to facing Geelong last round, but was withdrawn just before the Dockers flew to Victoria.
"I got through training today and I'll be fine to go this week," Fyfe said.
"I had my bags packed and was ready to jump on the plane (to Victoria) but the medical staff decided that an extra week would give my chest a better chance to heal.
"It's quite a common injury in rugby circles, but is just something that needs a bit of time to heal up, so we're hopeful that the back nine weeks I'll be in a better position that that gradual deterioration won't affect me."
