Docker Josh savours rough stuff
Devastating, airborne.
Fremantle fans have nicknamed Josh Treacy, their hulking 21-year-old key forward, Cyclone Treacy such is the physicality he brings to the football field.
Whether it’s crashing packs, laying tackles or kicking goals, he leaves a trail of destruction in his wake.
“It’s my one wood, to be honest … to try and put fear and intimidation into the opposition and wrestle the momentum our way,” Treacy said. “It’s the way I’ve always played and will continue to damaging and play, obviously within the parameters of the rules. I’ll continue to be an aggressive big man and impose myself.
“I played senior footy at quite a young age so I’ve been playing against men for two, three, even four years before I was in the AFL system. That really helped me in having the confidence in being able to do it and how to play against men.”
For all the attention teammate Jye Amiss has attracted since booting 41 goals in his second season, it’s worth considering where the pendulum sat this time last year.
Both had strong pre-seasons but Treacy was given the nod ahead of Amiss in round 1. Treacy kicked one goal from three touches against St Kilda and was subsequently dropped the following week in favour of Amiss.
And while the latter emerged as Fremantle’s next best thing since Matthew Pavlich, the former spent the next six weeks in the WAFL fighting for a recall. “It wasn’t a wake-up call but it was a really good learning curve for me just to go back and simplify things a bit,” Treacy said.
“It’s a game of footy at the end of the day.”
Treacy returned to the Dockers’ senior team against Hawthorn in round 8 and, with Luke Jackson for support, the trio spent 10 weeks together developing chemistry and synergy as Fremantle’s preferred tall forwards until Sean Darcy was injured, requiring a ruck reshuffle.
That structure is set to continue in 2024 but Fremantle coaches and teammates anticipate Treacy’s role will evolve from best supporting actor to co-star.