The Docker who must fire for Freo to avoid “awful trouble”

There is one specific Fremantle player who must show intent and anger early on Grand Final day.

The Dockers have been below their absolute best so far this finals series and partly due to Josh Treacy’s downturn in form.

The All-Australian key forward has not been at his best in September, taking just one mark inside forward 50 and kicking only two goals in three games.

According to David King, Treacy is the man who must start the fire for Freo if they are to get over the Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Saturday.

“I think the first contest for Josh Treacy tomorrow is massive,” King said on Fireball.

“In terms of that effort, that intent, that anger at the footy - that he's had for all bar three weeks this season - has been unquestioned.

“He’s been brilliant, he’s had a great season. But the last couple of weeks he hasn't been the same player.

“Now I don't know whether he's carrying an injury or not but this is a Grand Final.

“So I think his attack on that first contest, the levels that he goes at, will permeate through the group.

“One mark inside 50 for the last three weeks. I think the group feed off his intent and his anger.

“If he doesn't bring it, they're in awful trouble.”

Over the course of the 2026 home and away season, Treacy averaged 2.34 goals and 3.34 marks inside 50.

In the finals he is averaging just 0.6 goals and 0.3 marks inside 50.