WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n While Adelaide\u2019s 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\u2019s to come for the Dockers in 2026.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s left coach Justin Longmuir with a big selection call as injured ruck Sean Darcy continues his charge for Round 1.<\/p>\n Jye Amiss sent a scare through Freo\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Stand-in skipper Josh Treacy was at his damaging best with a game-high five goals.<\/p>\n THE 3-2-1 (what we learnt)<\/p>\n 1. DOCKERS DILEMMA: HOW TALL IS TOO TALL?<\/p>\n Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir will have a big call to make come Round 1should ruckman Sean Darcy prove himself fit.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s considered one of the best in the game.<\/p>\n Jackson (18 touches, seven clearances, 1.3) was \u201ceverywhere\u201d in Mandurah as he easily transitioned from ruck to forward and at times midfielder.<\/p>\n \u201cHe looks just as dangerous in the ruck and forward and as an extra onballer Jackson,\u201d dual North premiership winner David King said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s quite a freakish talent really.\u201d<\/p>\n The 211cm Cox meantime, showed he already had \u201ccult status\u201d after crossing from Collingwood in the off-season.<\/p>\n The big man was able to give his Dockers mids first looks repeatedly in promising signs for his Round 1 hopes.<\/p>\n \u201cMason Cox\u2019s ruck work has been terrific today \u2013 great follow up work,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n \u201cGoing 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,\u201d commentator Adam Papalia added.<\/p>\n \u201cMason Cox can play forward \u2013 we\u2019ve seen that before. I\u2019m not sure whether you get that same luxury with Sean Darcy,\u201d King replied.<\/p>\n Cox further impressed when he set up Shai Bolton for a last quarter goal with a brilliant tap.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a separating factor,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe can be a threat \u2013 he\u2019s got more strings to his bow than probably a Darcy does.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re just going with two ruckmen, it would be impossible right now to not have Mason Cox in your Round 1 team.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 2. CAN CROWS ATTACK FIRE WITHOUT RILEY?<\/p>\n He\u2019s the Adelaide \u201cbeast\u201d many are tipping to take the AFL by storm in 2026.<\/p>\n But Riley Thilthorpe was a late withdrawal for the Crows on Saturday \u2013 and without him the forward line struggled to gel.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a no risk approach,\u201d Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said of Thilthorpe.<\/p>\n \u201cTweaked his lower back \u2013 seven hours I think it took us in transit to get here.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he wanted to play\u2026 it\u2019s one of those ones we\u2019re just not going to take a risk with that.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Taylor Walker (0.3) had a number of opportunities, while Darcy Fogarty was well held \u2013 despite the Dockers missing their defensive trio of skipper Alex Pearce, Brennan Cox and Luke Ryan.<\/p>\n \u201cIs there any place in the ground he can kick a goal from?\u201d Fox Footy\u2019s Adam Papalia said of Walker.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t look like it,\u201d Will Schofield laughed.<\/p>\n 1. FREO\u2019S \u2018NEXT CAPTAIN\u2019 STANDS IN WAITING<\/p>\n 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\u2019s clash with the Crows.<\/p>\n And according to premiership winner Will Schofield, Treacy showed he\u2019s the man to lead Freo into the future.<\/p>\n \u201cI seriously think Josh Treacy could lead this side,\u201d Schofield said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe 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.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d run through brick walls for him.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n But when it mattered on Saturday it was Treacy who led by example.<\/p>\n Treacy threw his weight around in the first half, and then put the reward on the scoreboard with three goals \u2013 the only multiple goal kicker of the opening terms.<\/p>\n Coach Justin Longmuir was full of praise for the work of Treacy off the field to help with his on-field game.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s just matured so much!\u201d Longmuir told Fox Footy.<\/p>\n \u201cThe leadership has come off the back of him being an absolute professional in everything he does.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got himself really fit, really strong.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think there\u2019s any key backman in the competition who can go with him the way he works up the ground and back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a super impressive young man,\u201d Schofield added.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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