Fremantle’s playing group is ready to take on the challenge of taking on Adelaide on Sunday at Optus Stadium without captain Nat Fyfe leading the way from the midfield, according to Andrew Brayshaw.

The first year player said he was disappointed for Fyfe but feels the challenge will provide another growing opportunity for a developing group.

“Our other leaders will have to step up a fair bit and our midfielders will have to step up,” Brayshaw said.

“That’s a challenge we’re going to have to go through and that happens when players get suspended. That’s just footy and I think we’ll be ok.”

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Fyfe’s absence might mean more responsibility on the shoulders of Brayshaw and fellow first-year midfielder Adam Cerra. 

“I guess there might be a few more minutes for me (in the midfield),” Brayshaw said.

“But ‘Sonny’ (Michael) Walters might also come through the middle and Adam Cerra might get a bit more of a run.

“Nat’s a very good player and he’s a great leader but we’ve got lots of great leaders and lots of great players. He will be missed but I think we’ll be fine without him.”

Last week against Collingwood, Fremantle fielded their youngest starting 22 in almost eight years, with an average age of 23.1.

Brayshaw said the younger players were embracing being more accountable as a group. 

“I think I’ve taken a fair bit of responsibility on as everyone has,” Brayshaw said.

“We’re all playing AFL footy and we’ve all got a part to play in the team. I think we’re just trying to take it week by week and get better.

“We have a lot of young players that are showing what they’re made of and I think it just takes consistency and effort while getting games into them. 

“You can only play games to get better so I think it will just take a few more games and we’ll be right.” 

Adelaide aren’t without their own selection challenges with the likes of captain Taylor Walker, Rory Sloane, Brad Crouch, Mitch McGovern, Brodie Smith ruled out through injury and Rory Laird, Tom Lynch and Richard Douglas listed as a test.

“They have been hit by injury but they’re still a really classy outfit,” Brayshaw said. 

“I think we’d just love to get the win, work really hard and take some things out of the Collingwood game that we could have done a bit better.”