Josh Treacy's Heroic Mark Seals Fremantle's Gather Round Triumph Over Collingwood
In a heart-stopping Gather Round thriller, Fremantle forward Josh Treacy emerged as the unlikely hero with a game-saving mark in defence, crushing Collingwood's hopes in a dramatic six-point victory at Adelaide Oval on Friday night. Despite torrential rain bucketing down, Treacy managed to clunk an incredible mark while running back with the flight of the ball in the dying seconds, securing the Dockers' hard-fought win over the Magpies.
Treacy's Defensive Mastery in Critical Moments
The star goalkicker, who did not kick a major in what was a low-scoring scrap, made himself a hero down the other end by killing off Collingwood's best chance to snatch victory at the death. Speaking to Channel 7 after the game, Treacy revealed he knew he had to move himself down back when he saw a sign from the bench. "I saw the red sign go up and I know that's my duty to get back and help," he said. "They (marks) hadn't stuck all night, to be honest, and it was just one of those nights where I fought and had to keep bringing it to ground. It was nice to hang onto one there at the end."
Teammate Praise and Training Dedication
Fremantle defender Jordan Clark told Channel 7 that Treacy's mark was no fluke, highlighting his rigorous training regimen. "I think he'd mark a couple of hundred, maybe even a thousand balls a week," Clark said. "He's out there at six o'clock every morning with Patty Voss and Jye Amiss and they do some enormous work, so there's no surprise to see him go back and clunk that, even when it's pissing down."
Match Dynamics and Key Performances
In a dour contest frequently marred by teeming rain, the Magpies led by four points at three-quarter time before Fremantle's Jye Amiss and Matthew Johnson kicked two clutch unanswered goals to snatch victory. Justin Longmuir's Dockers move to 4-1 and second on the ladder, while Craig McRae's Collingwood (2-3) were left to rue missed chances to put the game away early in the final quarter of the 7.3 (45) to 5.9 (39) defeat.
Collingwood's effort was led by Nick Daicos, who returned from a corked calf and played brilliantly through discomfort despite coming under plenty of physical attention from Fremantle, amassing 31 disposals. The Magpies' defence was magnificent, with Billy Frampton keeping Treacy goalless and Brayden Maynard doing the same to Patrick Voss.
Injury Concerns and Player Impacts
Jordan De Goey copped a knee to the head from Fremantle's Heath Chapman in a second-quarter marking contest, then later smacked the back of his head on the turf when he was pushed over by the defender. He failed a head injury assessment and will miss next Thursday's clash with Carlton.
Fremantle ruckman Luke Jackson was excellent, especially after halftime when he went one-out against Darcy Cameron and Oscar Steen, giving first use to Caleb Serong with 38 hitouts and 17 disposals. Fellow ruckman Sean Darcy failed a concussion test after he went head-first into Collingwood's Ned Long in the second term and will miss next Sunday's derby against West Coast.
Fremantle defenders Jordan Clark and Luke Ryan were excellent along with Alex Pearce, who recorded 10 intercepts. Collingwood dominated the first term but were wasteful going into attack, scoring just 1.2 from 18 inside-50s to keep the Dockers in the game.
Match Progression and Turning Points
Fremantle were pedestrian in the opening half, struggling to get their ball movement going, and trailed by eight at halftime. The Dockers came out of the break with vastly improved intensity, and Isaiah Dudley brought the crowd to life with the opening goal. Two more majors to Amiss and Dudley handed Fremantle a nine-point lead in a flash.
Magpies debutant Angus Anderson steadied the ship with his first goal, before Jack Crisp put Collingwood back in front at three-quarter time. Collingwood blew multiple chances, and Amiss's thumping second goal in the rain cut the margin to a point, before Johnson kicked a goal on the run to put Fremantle in front, setting the stage for Treacy's heroic finish.
