Three-time premiership coach Mick Malthouse says two-time Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe isn't a champion player.
The former Western Bulldogs, West Coast, Collingwood, and Carlton senior coach told ABC Radio that Fyfe's finishing and defensive efforts leave a lot to be desired.
“The word champion is not him. No. He’s certainly not in my top quality players that are playing league football," Malthouse said.
“But to be a champion, you must finish off your work for a start off. He is not a good finisher in front of goal. When the chips are down, I wouldn’t rely on him.
“He does not defend. And there’s a lot of great players that don’t defend.
“But in my mind to be the best player you’ve got to be, you’ve got to be able to do all the things that your coach wants you to do for your team."
Malthouse added that while the Brownlow Medal is a prestigious award, the players he ranks as the greatest never claimed one.
“The Brownlow is an umpires’ award, well and truly deserved, so I’m not saying for one moment (Fyfe) doesn’t deserve it," he said.
“I still say the greatest players of all time have never won a Brownlow. So that puts it in perspective. If we’re really dealing with it – (Wayne) Carey, (Leigh) Matthews, (Kevin) Bartlett, (Ted) Whitten etc. They didn’t win Brownlows."
Fyfe faced criticism from SEN's Kane Cornes earlier this week, who labelled the defensive efforts of the 28-year old "deplorable".