Despite missing out on the finals in his first year as captain, Nat Fyfe says the club is doing what is necessary to contend once again at AFL level.

The 26-year-old will commence the first season of a new six-year contract at Fremantle in 2018 and has previously stated that Freo’s long-term view was crucial in his decision to commit the club.

Twelve players made their debuts for Fremantle in 2017 with the average age of that group currently at 21.6 years.

At 25, Harley Bennell is the oldest of Freo’s debutants in 2017 while three 19-year-olds made their AFL debut in their first year at the club in Griffin Logue, Brennan Cox and Sean Darcy.

A mature age draftee in 2016, 21-year-old Luke Ryan went on to earn a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination while 24-year-old Bradley Hill won the Doig Medal in his first year at Fremantle.

“Playing seven debutants is enormous, that hasn’t been matched since my first year in 2010,” Fyfe said.

“Banging games into those first and second-year players, trying to educate them and what it means to play AFL footy is a long-term investment that we’ve opted to go down.

“There are some really exciting things that we’re seeing out of Luke Ryan, Griffin Logue, Brennan Cox and some of our second-year players – Darcy Tucker in particular – they play a good competitive brand of footy that’s exciting and high skill. Our fans and members will want to come and watch that style of footy.”

A focus on youth hasn’t diminished the importance of Freo’s most senior players. Fyfe highlighted the leadership of Aaron Sandilands as crucial for the development of the younger core.

“Aaron’s been such a high-quality player and when he’s fit and in form, he’s the best ruck in the competition,” Fyfe said.

“His leadership and ability to grow the likes of Sean Darcy, Luke Strnadica and other young ruckmen coming through is going to be pivotal.

“Sean’s really blossomed this year having that opportunity. He’s only 19 and he’s going to have those ups and downs but if Aaron can teach him everything he knows and guide him along we’re going to have two high-quality ruckmen in 2018.