Michael Walters is confident Fremantle’s younger midfielders can thrive with more responsibility as Freo head into Sunday’s clash against Adelaide at Metricon Stadium. 

Walters, who will be acting captain for the game, said that Freo would be a better team if they can learn not to be too reliant on the dual Brownlow Medallist.

Senior coach Justin Longmuir decided not to bring in a midfield replacement for Fyfe, meaning the likes of Darcy Tucker, Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra and Celeb Serong will have more midfield minutes against the Crows.

“We can’t rely on the same players each and every week,” Walters said

“We need players to step up and I feel like this is a good opportunity for guys like Cerra, Brayshaw, Brett Bewley. 

“We’ll also get games into players like Nathan Wilson and Stephen Hill, who have been out and injured for a while. The mood is great, the vibe’s good, we just need to keep that going.”

While Fremantle are yet to have an Indigenous player captain the team, Walters joins Antoni Grover as Indigenous players who have stepped in as acting captain.

Walters said he was honoured to be seen as a leader at a club that has a strong Indigenous history. 

“I’m happy to take over from Fyfey for this one week and, hopefully, he’s back very soon and I can pass the baton back onto him,” Walters said.

“It means a lot. I’ve been here for 12 years. I see myself as a leader, not only at the footy club and in the community as well, to show people that if you aspire to be something you can go out there and do it. For me to be the skipper this week is massive for me as an Indigenous man.

“I played under ‘Groves’ for a number of years and he’s one that showed massive leadership towards me as well.”

Walters said he would lean heavily on fellow leader David Mundy, who captained Fremantle in 2016.

“Dave’s a seasoned veteran. I’ll have him helping me out on the footy field, especially in a leadership capacity,” Walters said.

“He’s been at the club for a number of years and he’s a quality leader, so if I can be half as good as him I’ll be very happy.

“I’ve also played a lot of games under Fyfey so there’s no doubt that a lot has rubbed off on me.”

Walters said he wouldn’t be planning a pre-game speech.

“I’m one to just say whatever comes to me,” Walters said.

“I’m not going to go out there and make it like a movie. I’m not going to learn any quotes or anything,

“I’m just going to go out there and speak my mind and reiterate what Adelaide want to do and what we want to do, that’s the plan.”