Fremantle forward Josh Treacy to be managed early in pre-season after knee injury derailed season

Fremantle forward Josh Treacy is unsure when he will be back in full flight as the breakout star of their 2024 campaign continues to manage a knee injury.

Treacy was among the 16 first-to-four-year players who hit the track for day one of pre-season at Cockburn on Thursday morning, but trained away from the main group, clocking up around 10km in a big session.

The 22-year-old spearhead is coming off a career-best 45 goal season, but it was abruptly ended in round 21 because of a knee injury that he will manage leading into the new year.

Treacy’s fitness was the subject of much speculation late in the season as the Dockers tried to cling to a finals berth before eventually falling short after losing their final four games to slip out of the top eight.

“We didn’t win so I guess we’ll never know,” Treacy told reporters on his prospect of playing finals.

“We were willing to give it a go but we’ll never know because we weren’t in a position to be able to give it a go.

“I’m not 100 per cent (on when I will be back to full training), it’s probably out of my hands at the moment but I will be in and out for a couple of weeks and then I’ll be good to go.”

Treacy emerged as a pivotal part of the Dockers’ push for a maiden premiership, forming a solid partnership with talented spearhead Jye Amiss.

“I will continue to work on what worked for me and stick to my values and the people around me,” Treacy said.

“I certainly won’t be taking the foot off the throttle that’s for sure. I will only look to continue to grow and become even better.

“I know there’s a lot of work to do and a long time to go, but I will continue to value the right stuff and surround myself with good people. That’s going to help me put in a good year.”

The monstrous forward admits he didn’t watch any finals football after the Dockers went from third in round 20 to finishing 10th.

“It’s a bit different when you feel like an opportunity slip to be able to sit back and watch that,” Treacy said.

“I figured what was best for me was to completely switch off and enjoy a little bit of a break before we get back into it.

“Hopefully we’re not sitting back in that position next year.”