New Freo recruit Travis Colyer said he’s looking forward to reconnecting with former Claremont and WA under 18s teammate Nat Fyfe at Fremantle.

Colyer, who played 87 games for Essendon between 2010 and 2018, was taken with pick no 26 in the 2009 national draft, seven places behind Fyfe, who went at no.20. 

Colyer said he plans to catch up with Fyfe prior to the start of their pre-season on Monday and is looking to linking up once again with the elite midfielder. 

“I remember seeing him play an under 18s game against East Fremantle one day and I saw that and went ‘wow’,” Colyer said. 

“To watch his development from afar in the past eight to nine years has been incredible.

“He’s probably one of the hardest workers and I think that’s a testament to what he’s like and it’s a credit to what he’s been able to do.

“It will be good to catch up with him and kick off from where we were back in Claremont and in the under 18s.”

Colyer said that reuniting with Fyfe was one of the drawcards to signing with Fremantle in the 2019 NAB AFL Trade Period.

“I know he’s going to challenge me and I’ll challenge him. It’s a pretty good opportunity to come back and play with a good mate,” Colyer said.

“In terms of his development, (I’ve seen) where he came from at 14 to 15 years of age to now captaining a football club, Brownlow Medallist, best and fairest and All Australian. 

“It’s just really exciting to be able to play with him again and see that development first hand.”

After discussing his potential role at Fremantle with senior coach Ross Lyon, Colyer said he was looking forward to showing off his speed at his new club.

“(Ross and I) had a chat before about where he sees me, on the wing running around and being a small player that has a bit of speed,” Colyer said. 

“I feel that’s my game and I think that’s something that I can really offer Freo.”

Colyer was all praise for Fremantle’s training facility after coming from a club that also boasts a new training complex. 

“It’s fantastic. At Essendon we had the new facility for about three or four years,” Colyer said.

“Coming here, it’s really really impressive in terms of the way it’s laid out, the space, the oval, and I can’t fault it.”