No fiddler played for lifelong pal (3,6)

I believe the answer is:

old friend

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'lifelong pal' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't judge whether it can be defined by this definition.

'no fiddler played' is the wordplay.
'played' is an anagram indicator.
'no'+'fiddler'='nofiddler'
'nofiddler' is an anagram of 'OLD FRIEND'.

'for' is the link.

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I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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