Advertisement

Brownlow Medal winner brings former Freo coach to tears

He's known as 'Ross the Boss' and possesses a lethal death stare, but axed Fremantle coach Ross Lyon showed his softer side by shedding some tears following Nat Fyfe's Brownlow medal triumph.

Fyfe and Lyon formed a tight bond during their eight seasons together at Fremantle, and that friendship remains as strong as ever.

ICONIC: Nat Fyfe recreates famous Brownlow Medal photo

So much so that Lyon was brought to tears after Fyfe won his second Brownlow medal on Monday night.

"He was the first person I rang after I did the press conference by myself," Fyfe said on Tuesday.

Ross Lyon was reduced to tears after Brownlow Medal winner Nat Fyfe's phone call.
Nat Fyfe and Ross Lyon formed a close bond during their time together at Fremantle. Pic: Getty

"He said he doesn't often cry, but he shed a couple of tears. He was quite emotional. He'll be a person that remains in my life.

"Last time (I won the Brownlow) he sat beside me in the presser. I missed him (this time).

"He's been a big part of my career. He played an important role in getting me to where I am today."

Fyfe is the only Fremantle player to have won a Brownlow medal.

And just 15 players in VFL/AFL history have won multiple Brownlows.

So does that make Fyfe Fremantle's greatest ever player?

Ross Lyon won on hand to celebrate Nat Fyfe's first Brownlow Medal win in 2015.
Ross Lyon congratulates Nat Fyfe on his first Brownlow Medal win in 2015. Pic: Getty

"I think it's premature. Matthew Pavlich is the greatest ever player to have played for Fremantle. He took us to a grand final," Fyfe said.

"That's something I want to do. I've got two Brownlows now and I've never captained a team in a final or won a premiership medallion, so that's wholeheartedly my focus."

Pavlich booted 700 goals in his 353 games for Fremantle and won six All-Australian jumpers along the way.

Fyfe has three All-Australian jumpers to go with his 2015 and 2019 Brownlow medals.

Meanwhile, the Fremantle skipper is hopeful the Dockers can snare out-of-contract Geelong midfielder Tim Kelly if he decides to return to Perth.