In a game marked by missed opportunities, Fremantle Dockers forward Josh Treacy faced a pivotal moment that encapsulated the team’s struggles against the Brisbane Lions. The incident happened in the last quarter of the game, with Fremantle behind 32 points. Treacy had already netted twice earlier in the contest. In many ways, he blew a historic opportunity at a third, one that national commentators described as disastrous.
Treacy teed up for what appeared to be a routine goal. He took one heartbeat too many before striking his kick. Brisbane defender Ryan Lester took advantage of that rare opportunity and broke up the chance. Instead, Treacy squandered a chance he’d usually finish. ESPN commentator Anthony Hudson, pictured above, was scathing in his criticism. He called the miss “a calamity, a disaster,” maybe expressing with those words the exasperation shared by every frustrated supporter and player alike.
Former AFL star Garry Lyon likened Treacy’s mistake to the infamous ‘Riewoldt incident’ from the 2010 grand final replay. He noted that situations like this one can follow individual players and franchises for decades. The miss turned out to be a significant lost opportunity for Treacy. It further emphasized Fremantle’s uninspired showing as a whole on this opening night of the season.
Even with Treacy’s overall contributions on the scoreboard, including two goals that hit the mark successfully, the colossal miss eclipsed all of that. As the night deepened, the Lions surged away to a crucial win. It was not until Hugh McCluggage kicked the scoreboard icebreaker in the opening term of the last quarter that victory was complete. The Lions continued to do what they wanted to do on the field, ending any realistic hope of a Freo fightback.
Few will know the true nightmare moment Treacy and the Fremantle team endured through the incident. It shed light on the brutal reality of professional football, where you can’t afford to have any chances. The consequences from this play may reach far beyond this single game. The Dockers need to take stock and address their on-field showing if they’re to make something of this year.
