Justin Chadwick
Josh Treacy is being backed to return to his “fiery, angry” best as the Fremantle forward attempts to bounce back from one of the worst games of his AFL career.
Treacy was a non factor in last week’s 32-point qualifying final loss to Hawthorn, with the newly minted All-Australian tallying just four disposals and no marks.
His sole kick came in the dying minutes when he nailed a set-shot goal with the result already beyond doubt.
Treacy is one of Fremantle’s best and most physical players, and the 24-year-old powerhouse is being tipped to go into beast mode in Friday night’s semi-final against Geelong at a sold-out Optus Stadium.
“I’d hate to sit under a footy with Josh on the weekend,” Dockers midfielder Andrew Brayshaw said on Tuesday.
“He’s going to be fiery, angry, playing on the edge. I think he’ll respond as good as anyone. He never plays two bad games in a row.
“He admits that he wasn’t good enough on the weekend, and he’s just excited and grateful for the opportunity to go again.”
Treacy wasn’t the only key forward to struggle, with Jye Amiss and Patrick Voss also having little impact.
Amiss kicked just one goal from five disposals, while Voss went goalless from 11.
It was in stark contrast to the home-and-away season, when Treacy, Amiss and Voss combined for 153 goals to become the most feared trio of the competition.
“I’m expecting a big response, expecting them to be really physical, strong in the air, and strong on the ground,” Brayshaw said.
One key aspect Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir identified after the loss to Hawthorn was his team’s over-reliance on quick handball, rather than trying to take on the tackler.
Brayshaw feels Fremantle’s forwards were let down by poor delivery into the forward line.
“We weren’t able to pass it in the way we want to usually,” Brayshaw said.
“This week there’ll definitely be a big focus on hopefully breaking that first layer of defence, and then pumping it into our forwards on a plate and let them get to work.”
Geelong secured their semi-final spot with a 33-point win over Carlton.
Cats veteran Patrick Dangerfield turned back the clock in that game with a five-goal haul, and he represents a huge threat to Fremantle’s bid to snare a preliminary final berth against Sydney.
“Maybe Heath Chapman would be good,” Brayshaw said of the potential match-up against Dangerfield.
“He’s pretty strong and pretty quick as well, so I reckon it’d be a good match-up.”
Geelong came from behind to beat Fremantle by 10 points in round one.
Fremantle had their revenge at home in round 15 when they overcame a 28-point deficit to post a nine-point win.
Star Cats midfielder Bailey Smith was missing that night, but he’ll be one of the men to stop in Friday’s semi-final.
“He’s a gun player,” Brayshaw said.
“Our whole midfield will be focused on some of their harder working mids, and he’s one of them.
“We’ll be trying to be physical and watch out for him trying to get forward.”
AAP
