Fremantle showed the ruthlessness required to be a contender in 2026 with a powerful second half against Richmond on Saturday, with only inaccuracy holding the team back in a 60-point win at Optus Stadium.
Josh Treacy booted four goals and reeled in 12 marks in a commanding performance which exceeded the stats sheet, as the hosts overcame a wayward start to run out 60-point winners. Treacy's performance continued his rise as one of the best key forwards in the game after booting four goals last week against Melbourne.
The match appeared headed for an upset when the Dockers trailed by six points late in the second quarter, but they dominated proceedings thereafter to win 13.25 (103) to 6.7 (43). The Dockers took total control through the third quarter, winning clearances 13-5 and inside 50s 19-7 and turning an earlier six-point deficit into a 44-point lead at the last change.
Richmond's rebuild showed promise despite the lopsided scoreline. Richmond showed their rebuild is well and truly on track during an impressive first half, despite having lost almost 600 combined games of experience with injuries to Toby Nankervis, Nathan Broad and Tom Lynch. Acting captain Tim Taranto will fill the captaincy for the next six to eight weeks as Nankervis recovers from a hamstring injury, finishing with 24 disposals, two goals and 10 tackles.
Treacy's standout display earned immediate praise from his coach. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said "He's a competitor. There's not many players at our club that work harder on their game than JT," after the victory. "He's evolved in all areas. He looks for improvement in all areas of his game, hence he's fitter, he's stronger and his craft is better than last year, and his last two years have been really strong as well."
The key forward's sticky hands are among the most reliable in the AFL and were a beacon in slippery conditions on Saturday. Longmuir noted that "he gets a lot of balls kicked into his hands and then when everyone is finding it slippery, he's marking like a dry-weather day." Torrential rainfall had been forecast as ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle tracked south, with young Tigers forward Seth Campbell pictured jokingly sporting swimming goggles at Friday's training session in Perth. The rain largely held off beyond sporadic showers, although both teams had forgettable moments with a slippery Sherrin.
The Dockers shifted gears after the main break and returned to the attacking style they have built in 2026, kicking 8.16 in the second half to clear 100 points for the third straight match and build momentum ahead of an extended road trip to Adelaide. This run of form suggests Fremantle has assembled a side capable of competing for an elusive premiership, though consistency across all four quarters remains a challenge.
For Richmond, the performance offered constructive signs for a club in transition. Richmond coach Adam Yze said of the first half: "To play against a really strong side on their home deck, hostile environment, tough conditions ... I couldn't ask for any more." The Tigers' ability to remain competitive in the opening half, despite their injury burden, suggests their rebuild is progressing, even if the gap to contenders like Fremantle remains significant at this early stage of the season.