AFL champion Tom Mitchell has labelled Josh Treacy’s positioning in the dying minutes of the grand final as the reason for the biggest failure in Fremantle history.
The Dockers squandered a 17-point lead in the final four minutes to lose the grand final to Brisbane in heartbreaking circumstances.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Josh Treacy’s grand final positioning error costs Fremantle
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Much has been said about Treacy’s horror miss from the goalsquare in the final quarter, but a bigger issue came in the closing stages.
With Fremantle clinging to a five-point lead in the final two minutes, Treacy marked the ball on the wing before pumping in forward, which ended up in a stoppage.
Multiple times in the past two years, Treacy has gone back behind the ball to give the Dockers an extra man and has save the game for them with a clutch mark or spoil.
But Mitchell couldn’t understand why it didn’t happen in the grand final.
“Well we saw this all year so I’m not sure why it didn’t happen on grand final day, but earlier in the year against Collingwood, Treacy goes behind the ball, saves the game, there’s under two minutes to go,” Mitchell said on The Agenda Setters.
“He saves the game marking it again against North Melbourne, under two minutes to go, behind the ball, saves the game.
“So grand final day, you would assume that happens wouldn’t you?
“There’s two minutes to go in the game so he’s outside forward 50, this is the time to get set behind the ball. You get a stoppage, this is perfect. Fremantle’s premiership on the line, they’ve got it in their hands so they get a stoppage.
“Treacy should now be behind the ball, why isn’t he? I’m not sure. Is it because Alex Pearce isn’t out there? Who knows?”
During the next sequence both Shai Bolton and Hayden Young kept the ball alive while being tackled, with Young’s handball eventually going out of bounds to give away a free kick.
Mitchell criticised the pair for not just holding in.
“Get some more delay on the game. Bolton, you’re getting tackled, take the ball out of bounds. Don’t keep the ball in play, get delay,” he continued.
“(Young) take the tackle, do not handball the ball out of bounds. The lasso rule, he gives the ball back, even take holding the ball, get five seconds of delay because if you don’t, this is perfect for Brisbane … kick, mark, they’re the best at it in the comp.”
It is at this point that Treacy is positioned at the top of the forward-50 line, which Mitchell slammed.
“This is the biggest failure in Fremantle Football Club history. This has cost them a premiership,” he said.
“So Josh Treacy should be behind the ball in front of Logan Morris right now. Just get behind the ball like you have done all season and win your team a premiership.
“You’re telling me you want Logan Morris, the best forward in the AFL, against Oscar McDonald, he’s not their best defender. But you want him in this much space. Josh Treacy should be right here, saving them a premiership.”
Mitchell added that he wasn’t exactly sure who’s call it would be to send Treacy back.
“It’s a combination. Is it the coach? I don’t know who makes the call for Fremantle. Does Alex Pearce normally call him back? But you would think it’s something they’ve trained over the whole course of the year,” he added.
Mitchell then highlighted another effort from Treacy in the final minute of the game.
With the ball bobbling around the Dockers’ forward pocket, Treacy reached out but couldn’t win the 50-50 contest and the Lions took it away to effectively seal the match.
“This is a big moment. 50 seconds left to go in the grand final. 50-50 ball, Treacy and (Ryan) Lester, who wants it more?” Mitchell said.
“Tracey reaches, doesn’t make body contact or ball contact. That’s just a weak effort for me. And he’s a very good player.
“And compare that to Lachie Neale. He’s a guy who wants to win a premiership. He goes back with the flight, the smallest player on the field. Ball and body. Bang. Handball out.”
Mitchell finished his analysis of the final minutes by showing how Logan Morris professionally fumbled the ball out of bounds in contrast to Bolton and Young earlier.
“This wins Brisbane a premiership. Again, an experienced team. We spoke about Bolton and Hayden Young not taking the ball out professionally before. Look at this. Professional fumble from Logan Morris. Out of bounds, get set, grand final won,” he said.
“That’s what happens when you’re involved in big games year after year. You learn these habits.
“Ultimately, it was the experience in big games that won Brisbane the premiership.”
