Fremantle are facing a selection dilemma ahead of Round 1 as both Luke Jackson and recruit Mason Cox starred in the Dockers 16-point win over Adelaide in Mandurah on Saturday.

The Crows have failed to recover from the late withdrawal of star Riley Thilthorpe as they fell 12.12 (84) to 9.14 (68) in their final preseason hitout.

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While Adelaide’s attack end struggled, for Fremantle it was Cox (30 hitouts) who delivered a ruck masterclass while allowing Jackson to run free across the ground in a promising sign for what’s to come for the Dockers in 2026.

But it’s left coach Justin Longmuir with a big selection call as injured ruck Sean Darcy continues his charge for Round 1.

Jye Amiss sent a scare through Freo’s camp in the opening term as he limped off with a left ankle complaint, but luckily for the forward he was able to return in the second quarter.

Stand-in skipper Josh Treacy was at his damaging best with a game-high five goals.

THE 3-2-1 (what we learnt)

1. DOCKERS DILEMMA: HOW TALL IS TOO TALL?

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir will have a big call to make come Round 1should ruckman Sean Darcy prove himself fit.

Darcy, the 203cm ruck who featured in a WAFL practice match earlier on Saturday, is trying to force his way into a Fremantle line up that already has five 195cm+ big men in it.

But in his absence, new recruit Mason Cox has proven his worth to the side, while AFL unicorn Luke Jackson continues to show the competition why he’s considered one of the best in the game.

Jackson (18 touches, seven clearances, 1.3) was “everywhere” in Mandurah as he easily transitioned from ruck to forward and at times midfielder.

“He looks just as dangerous in the ruck and forward and as an extra onballer Jackson,” dual North premiership winner David King said.

“He’s quite a freakish talent really.”

The 211cm Cox meantime, showed he already had “cult status” after crossing from Collingwood in the off-season.

The big man was able to give his Dockers mids first looks repeatedly in promising signs for his Round 1 hopes.

“Mason Cox’s ruck work has been terrific today – great follow up work,” King said.

“Going to be an interesting problem when Sean Darcy s fit whether they play Sean Darcy, Mason Cox and Luke Jackson all in the same team,” commentator Adam Papalia added.

“Mason Cox can play forward – we’ve seen that before. I’m not sure whether you get that same luxury with Sean Darcy,” King replied.

Cox further impressed when he set up Shai Bolton for a last quarter goal with a brilliant tap.

“This is a separating factor,” King said.

“He can be a threat – he’s got more strings to his bow than probably a Darcy does.

“If you’re just going with two ruckmen, it would be impossible right now to not have Mason Cox in your Round 1 team.”

So with both 199cm Jackson and Cox impressing, that leaves Fremantle with tall targets including 196cm Jye Amiss and 195cm duo Pat Voss and Josh Treacy in attack.

2. CAN CROWS ATTACK FIRE WITHOUT RILEY?

He’s the Adelaide “beast” many are tipping to take the AFL by storm in 2026.

But Riley Thilthorpe was a late withdrawal for the Crows on Saturday – and without him the forward line struggled to gel.

“It’s a no risk approach,” Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said of Thilthorpe.

“Tweaked his lower back – seven hours I think it took us in transit to get here.

“I think he wanted to play… it’s one of those ones we’re just not going to take a risk with that.”

It was left to Luke Pedlar (three goals in three quarters) to carry the load in attack as the big names around him struggled to convert.

Taylor Walker (0.3) had a number of opportunities, while Darcy Fogarty was well held – despite the Dockers missing their defensive trio of skipper Alex Pearce, Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan.

“Is there any place in the ground he can kick a goal from?” Fox Footy’s Adam Papalia said of Walker.

“It doesn’t look like it,” Will Schofield laughed.

1. FREO’S ‘NEXT CAPTAIN’ STANDS IN WAITING

With star defender Alex Pearce ruled out during the week with a calf complaint, the Dockers opted to name forward Josh Treacy as their stand-in for Saturday’s clash with the Crows.

And according to premiership winner Will Schofield, Treacy showed he’s the man to lead Freo into the future.

“I seriously think Josh Treacy could lead this side,” Schofield said.

“He could be the next captain of Fremantle – the way he plays, the way he prepares. You hear him speak, he speaks like a leader and he certainly plays like one.

“You’d run through brick walls for him.”

It’s a big call from Schofield given Fremantle already have the likes of midfield stars Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong in leadership positions within the club.

But when it mattered on Saturday it was Treacy who led by example.

Treacy threw his weight around in the first half, and then put the reward on the scoreboard with three goals – the only multiple goal kicker of the opening terms.

Coach Justin Longmuir was full of praise for the work of Treacy off the field to help with his on-field game.

“He’s just matured so much!” Longmuir told Fox Footy.

“The leadership has come off the back of him being an absolute professional in everything he does.

“He’s got himself really fit, really strong.

“I don’t think there’s any key backman in the competition who can go with him the way he works up the ground and back.”

“He’s a super impressive young man,” Schofield added.

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Fremantle selected team

B: H.Chapman, O.McDonald, H.Davies

HB: J.Clark, K.Worner, J.McVee

C: J.O’Meara, C.Serong, C.Wagner

HF: M.Frederick, M.Reid, S.Bolton

F: J.Amiss, J.Treacy, P.Voss

Foll: L.Jackson, A.Brayshaw, H.Young

I/C: T.Murray, M.Cox, N.Erasmus, N.O’Driscoll, B.Walker, J.Draper, I.Dudley, M.Johnson

EMG: L.Ryan, J.Sharp, B.Banfield, C.Scerri

Missing: Alex Pearce, Brennan Cox, Sean Darcy, Sam Switkowski

Adelaide selected side

B: J.Butts, J.Worrell, H.Bond

HB: W.Milera, N.Murray, R.Laird

C: L.Nankervis, J.Dawson, C.Jones

HF: A.Neal-Bullen, R.Thilthorpe, L.Pedlar

F: B.Keays, T.Walker, D.Fogarty

Foll: L.McAndrew, C.Edwards, J.Rachele

I/C: B.Cook, Z.Taylor, J.Borlase, B.Dowling, T.Murray, L.Sholl. M.Marsh, M.Michalanney

EMG: O.Ryan, A.Ludowyke, R.O’Brien, F.Maley

Missing: Sam Berry, James Peatling, Jake Soligo, Dan Curtin, Mark Keane, Mitch Hinge, Sid Draper, Isaac Cumming, Cal Ah Chee