Nat Fyfe is closing in on a return to being the best player in the country, according to Monday’s edition of The West Australian.

Chief football writer Mark Duffield was glowing in his assessment of Fyfe’s 43-disposal performance against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night at Optus Stadium. 

It’s the most disposals Fyfe has collected in his 143-game career and according to Duffield, it’s only a matter of time until the Fremantle captain is once again known as the game’s best player.

“Look out Dustin Martin, look out Patrick Dangerfield. If you check your rear-view mirrors you will see someone coming, and coming fast,’ Duffield wrote in Monday’s West.

“He has goals in all five matches.

“Fyfe’s disposals against the Suns prompted coach Stuart Dew to label him unstoppable.”

A Nat Fyfe at the top of his game only adds to the growing anticipation of Sunday’s Western Derby, which will be the first clash between Freo and West Coast at Optus Stadium. 

Fremantle is unbeaten at their new home ground and will be eager to keep the record alive. 

“This derby shapes as one of the biggest games in the State’s history,” Duffield said.

“With Fremantle closing in on a sell-out, the match will almost certainly break the 54,535 attendance record for a football match in WA, which was set by the Eagles in their round three win over Geelong.”

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“Both teams have established impressive records at the new Optus Stadium, winning five of the six matches there so far.”

While Fyfe and Eagles’ ruck Nic Naitanui will headline the contest, Duffield believes the battle between in-form defender Alex Pearce and West Coast spearhead Josh Kennedy could decide the contest.

“The Eagles will believe that if Naitanui can lead them to a break-even situation in the midfield they will have the attack to win this,” Duffield said.

“But Fremantle will believe they have a defence that can blunt most attacks.

“Alex Pearce was superb again on Saturday night and will probably get first crack at Josh Kennedy. That will leave Joel Hamling for either a second forward or resting ruckman.”