Dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe has been benched for Fremantle’s entire come-from-behind win over St Kilda on Sunday night, clocking up a rare appearance as an unused substitute because of a fresh injury headache.

The Dockers lost the lead in the third quarter before kicking four unanswered goals in the final term and then holding on for a 11.15 (81) to 9.15 (69) win at Optus Stadium.

And they did it all without Fyfe after the veteran, who is facing serious questions about his future beyond this year, sat for the full game.

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Fremantle were two goals up with just under eight minutes remaining when it became clear the 33-year-old would not be called upon.

“He hasn’t moved all day. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s not coming on unless required (by injury),” Will Schofield said on Fox Sports while Dockers great Matthew Pavlich described it as “strange”.

It was later revealed Fyfe, who only recently returned from a hamstring injury, experienced calf tightness during a half-time warm-up, forcing Fremantle to finish the game without the option of subbing him on.

“(I’m) not sure whether we could have put him on if we had an injury, but since we didn’t have an injury and didn’t have any players really flagging, the safe option was to just leave him out of the game,” coach Justin Longmuir said.

“It’s a bit of a concern, of course. But we’ll see how he pulls up tomorrow, get it scanned if we need to, and see where it takes us.

“But from what I understand, it’s pretty minor and we didn’t have to bring him on.”

The news emerged after Dockers star Jordan Clark, who had 31 disposals and a goal in the win over the Saints, declared he was content to see Fyfe sit and avoid injury during a brief cameo.

“It’s a luxury. I think that’s the best place — if we don’t need him, we don’t need him,” he said in a post-match interview.

“Fyfey’s role’s changed at the club now and he still adds such a great level head, experience, and when he comes on for little bursts he’s still got it.

“He would’ve loved to get out there tonight but selfishly I don’t want to put him out there and risk (injury) — I want to keep him for the back end of the year.”

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon masterminded a 61-point win over Fremantle eight weeks ago in Melbourne, and another upset was brewing when the Saints opened up a 14-point lead early in the final quarter.

The Saints dominated the clearances 39-16 across the opening three terms, but Fremantle won the key stat 15-7 in the final quarter to make their move.

Sean Darcy marked a low ball and kicked truly to start the onslaught.

Luke Jackson, Josh Treacy and Isaiah Dudley followed it up with their own set shots as Fremantle shot out to a 10-point lead.

Fremantle are now on the verge of returning to the finals for the first time since 2022, with their winning streak now up to six games.

They sit sixth on the ladder and one game clear in the eight.

The Dockers will head to the SCG for a winnable game against Sydney next week before hosting Hawthorn in Perth, that top-eight clash followed by an MCG blockbuster against premiership favourites Collingwood.

Meanwhile, Sunday’s win over St Kilda will go down in the record books as Fyfe’s fourth appearance of the season — all of which have involved the substitute role in some capacity.

He was subbed on for his first two games of the year then played three-quarters of the Dockers’ win over Essendon before being pulled.

Fyfe managed just 11 disposals and one clearance, also spending periods stationed in attack to help fill the void left by Sam Switkowski (hamstring), but looked a shadow of the contested beast he once was.

Channel 7 commentator Kane Cornes cast doubt about the future of the modern-day great, who comes out of contract at the end of the season.

“There’s a big decision for Fremantle. In fact, I don’t think it is that big a decision,” Cornes said on The Agenda Setters last week.

“It was sad watching Nat Fyfe on Thursday night (against Essendon). He started as a forward, his first full game in a while. His kick-to-handball ratio is high because he doesn’t trust his kicking and his kicking has absolutely deserted him.

“So champion of the game ... shouldn’t have been given the two-year contract extension some time ago. We said that at the time and now I think they sit him down.

“If not today, it’s got to be this week and just say, ‘look, Nat, this group is young, it’s dynamic, and unfortunately the role that you play, others have gone past you’.

“(Corey) Wagner’s gone past you inside. (Caleb) Serong and (Andrew) Brayshaw, we know about. Hayden Young’s going to come back.

“And performances like this don’t do, I guess, his finish to an outstanding Hall of Fame-worthy career any justice.”

- with AAP