Josh Treacy continued his dominance as the “number one forward in the AFL” and Fremantle flexed its muscles in a dominant 60-point win over Richmond to surge into the top four.
Treacy bagged 4.3 and took 12 marks in a big display in attack to lead his side’s charge as it stacked on eight goals to one in a second half blitz to win 13.25 (103) to 6.7 (43) at Optus Stadium.
It prompted Kangaroos great David King to heap huge praise on Treacy, saying “he might have the best hands since Wayne Carey” and labelling the Dockers stud the game’s premier key forward.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Watch every match of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
“He right now is the number one power forward in the competition. And what a luxury to have the other two (Jye Amiss and Patrick Voss) riding shotgun next to him,” Kangaroos great David King said on Fox Footy.
Caleb Serong (32 touches, two goals) and Shai Bolton (33 disposals) were also busy through the midfield as the Dockers, despite leaving plenty of goals out there in an inaccurate display in front of the big sticks, improved to 2-1 on the season to climb into third place on the ladder.
Richmond remain winless through three games in a result further soured by a knee injury to Jasper Alger after a friendly fire collision with Steely Green.
The 3-2-1 (what we learned) via Catherine Healey …
3. FROM ‘DUMB’ TO DOMINANT FOR FREO
Fremantle were roasted in their five-goal first half for a lack of scoring dominance despite playing two star rucks.
The Luke Jackson-Sean Darcy combo was expected to dominate rookie Campbell Gray in injured Toby Nankervis’ absence.
Instead, it was the Tigers who were sharking the ball time and time again.
“This is a problem for Fremantle – again the hitout from Darcy straight to a Richmond player sharking the ball in (Dion) Prestia,” two-time premiership Roo David King said in the first half.
“They’ve got to get this hitout work sorted out.
“They are dominating the actual tap – that’s a given.
“I want to see whether Darcy can hit to the extremities – don’t keep it in close for (Tim) Taranto and (Jacob) Hopper and these guys to use their frame, their sheer size. Just see if you can get it to space and allow (Shai) Bolton and (Murphy) Reid and these guys to charge on it.”
King said he had no doubt Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir put it to his midfielders at half time – given Fremantle had just three goals on the board before adding two in less than two minutes in the dying stages of the second term.
Lyon upbeat despite 4th quarter fadeout | 07:32
“He’ll challenge his mids to get moving – you’ve got ruck dominance. Get on your bikes! Start winning some contests,” King said.
“(Richmond) are just hunting a bit harder, a bit stronger – contested possessions they are in front the Tigers. They are just playing smart football.
“I think they’ve played pretty dumb footy today Fremantle to be fair in the first half.
“This is a major advantage – the ruckman can hit it to wherever he likes today.
“So how are you only a goal up at clearance? Darcy should be putting the ball, and Jackson for that matter – wherever they want on the extremities.
“Don’t keep it in close… There’s no reason why they shouldn’t be scoring heavily from stoppage.”
It was a different Dockers that emerged after half time as suddenly those big men made their presence felt – with Jackson dominating in attack.
“They played smart footy! They took control of the taps – 18 to 1 hitouts in that (third) term,” King praised.
“They said, OK let’s hit to the extremities, let’s get it out in space and capitalise.
“They were able to score eight times from their 13 clearances won.
“That’s smart footy … It was Jackson that did the baulk of the damage.”
By three-quarter time, Freo had run away with the contest by kicking 5.9 to just 0.1.
2. DOCKER DELIGHT AS STAR DRAWS CAREY COMPARISON
Josh Treacy is the “new sheriff in town” for Fremantle and “number one power forward” in the game.
And he’s not going it alone.
Despite the wet weather conditions, the Fremantle talls in attack were devastating after half time as a warning was issued to the rest of the competition.
By three quarter time, Treacy was targeted 10 times, Voss targeted 9 and Amiss the 8 inside 50 – sharing the attack load.
“(Fremantle) had a semi taste of what could have been last year – now it’s time to get serious,” Fox Footy’s David King said.
“I think this is a premiership team in waiting.
“Whether it’s this year, next or the years beyond that – well it’s in their hands.
“They’ve just got this ruthless edge Freo – and I know we haven’t really spoken about them like that over the last couple of years.
“But 2026, they’ve got some anger.”
And some of that anger comes through forward star Josh Treacy.
Treacy was the difference in the wet as he clunked everything that came his way.
King described Treacy’s hands as “registered weapons” given how clean he handled the ball.
“He might have the cleanest hands I’ve seen since Carey,” said King, who labelled Treacy the “number one power forward in the competition” post-match.
“I honestly believe this guy is going next level now.
“We see Naughton, Darcy – his hands are as good if not better than the competition right now.”
“Fremantle’s forward line is lethal, led by Josh Treacy,” Adam Papalia added.
“If the competition weren’t before, they’ll be taking notice.”
Statistics show Treacy is currently ranked the AFL’s number one in contested possessions and contested marks for forwards.
“If those numbers if they can hold season long, I think they entrench themselves in the top four and become a genuine premiership contender,” King said.
Treacy finished with an equal career-best 12 marks in Saturday’s wet weather contest.
1. EXPERIMENT THAT PAID OFF FOR RICHMOND
Two-time premiership Roo David King put it to the Tigers pre-game: “I want to see something different before the season just runs its course”.
And that’s what he got with stand-in skipper Tim Taranto heading forward at every opportunity to punish Freo on the scoreboard.
Statistics show Richmond are ranked 18 in the AFL at centre bounce – winning 26 but only scoring 1.1 in their opening games.
“They are getting their hands on the ball – I’d love to see some experimentation here,” King called.
“Taranto, Hopper and Ross pretty much exclusively at centre bounce – and they get their hands on the ball. They do what they’ve been asked to do – they perform their role.
“For all their good work, they are really not getting any scoreboard reward.
“There’s a lot to learn about this group – it’s time to start exploring.”
And explore is what coach Adem Yze did, with Seth Campbell getting centre bounce minutes while Taranto shifted to attack.
“I like Taranto in the forward 50. I think it’s something different. Can take a mark,” King praised.
“I just like in these conditions when the ball hits the deck, you’ve got a midfield operator.
“If Prestia goes into the contest… that’s the perfect time for Taranto to push forward and become a number inside 50 for the Tigers with his experience,” Brad Johnson added.
“Good coaching to put Taranto inside forward 50,” King said.
By half time, Taranto racked up 16 disposals – 8 contested, 7 tackles and two goals.
“He’s doing it all on both sides of the game – on attack and in defence as well,” Johnson praised.
“Six of his 16 (disposals) inside the forward 50 – and that’s bang for buck,” King added.
“It’s been a tactical win for Adem Yze.
“He’s put Campbell in at centre bounces – he’s exposing him. Let’s see what his ceiling is.
“Is he an answer for you in three or four years’ time as a strike no baller slash half forward? Good opportunity for him.”
Re-live our live coverage of Fremantle vs. Richmond in our blog below! Can’t see the blog?Click here