Fremantle are being urged to make a decision around champion midfielder Nat Fyfe.

Fyfe, who had spent the previous two games as the sub, earned a rare start against Essendon but managed just 11 disposals and one clearance before being subbed out in the final quarter.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Nat Fyfe’s sad situation laid bare.

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The 33-year-old spent periods stationed in attack to help fill the void left by Sam Switkowski (hamstring), but looked a shadow of the contested beast that won two Brownlow Medals across a glittering career.

The young Dockers are surging up the ladder on the back of a five-game winning streak, but questions are being asked whether Fyfe is in their best team.

Led brilliantly by Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong in the midfield, plus support from a host of other players, there doesn’t appear any room for Fyfe.

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.

In his limited game time this year, Fyfe has had just eight kicks and 19 handballs, which is the lowest kick-to-handball ratio of his career.

“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.

“It was sad watching Nat Fyfe on Thursday night. 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. Serong and 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.”

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir was happy with Fyfe’s performance against Essendon when asked about it post-match.

“I thought he ran some really good patterns,” Longmuir said.

“I was really happy with the way he approached the role. I thought some of his physicality through the middle of the ground was great.”

Fyfe has played 243 games across his 16 years in the AFL and will go down as one of the greatest players in the modern era.

The Dockers host St Kilda at Optus Stadium on Sunday and a win will see them draw level on points with third-placed Geelong.