Fremantle are confident in-form forward Josh Treacy has avoided a serious setback after the Dockers tall suffered a knee injury in Sunday's loss to Essendon.
A marking contest between Treacy and Bombers backman Ben McKay left the former in pain on the ground after a mid-air collision and concerning landing late into the game.
Treacy was eventually able to rise to his feet as medical staff rushed to assess the 22-year-old, who slowly made his way from the field for further assessment.
With Treacy able to return to the field before the end of the match, the Dockers' concerns were allayed, with coach Justin Longmuir revealing his Coleman Medal contender is suspected to have avoided a worrying setback.
"He just got a corky or a knock on his knee," Longmuir said in a brief update post-game.
"Fingers crossed he pulls up well."
Josh Treacy has jogged from the ground after this contest ⬇️
Hoping he's OK 🤞 #AFLDonsFreo pic.twitter.com/Coc6FSsnWZ
— 7AFL (@7AFL) August 4, 2024
Treacy booted three goals in the one-point defeat at the MCG, combining with teammate Jye Amiss to make up half of the Dockers' 14 goals against the Bombers, with Hayden Young, Sam Sturt and Luke Jackson each amassing multiple majors also.
The recently re-signed key forward sits fifth in the AFL for goals this season, having booted 45 in a breakout year to date to be level with Carlton's Harry McKay and Geelong veteran Jeremy Cameron.
The trio sit 13 goals off the lead, which is now held by Jesse Hogan, who kicked five goals in Round 21 to go past two-time Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow on Sunday. Curnow was kept goalless for the first time since Round 1, 2022.
Treacy and Hogan are the only two players to have kicked a goal in every possible match this year, with the Dockers tall looming as a key piece in Fremantle's push for a maiden premiership this year.
Their loss to the Bombers has seen the Western Australian club slide to sixth on the ladder with three matches remaining in the home and away season, with games to come against Geelong, GWS and Port Adelaide - three sides that sit above after Round 21.
The Dockers will have dual Brownlow Medal winner Nat Fyfe available to face the Cats after serving his one-game suspension, while midfielder Matthew Johnson is also likely to be available following a recent foot issue.
Forward Michael Walters (hamstring) is unlikely to be available, while captain Alex Pearce faces an indefinite timeframe after requiring surgery on his arm.
