Caleb Serong has described teammate Josh Treacy as Fremantle's most important player, saying the star forward's influence hasn't waned despite a rare three-match goalless run.
Treacy was right in thick of the Coleman medal race earlier this season after opening the campaign with 17.6 from his first five matches.
But the goals have dried up substantially for the 22-year-old since then, with Treacy kicking just 6.7 over the past eight games.
That includes goalless displays in recent wins against Port Adelaide, Gold Coast and North Melbourne - all played in the wet.
It's in stark contrast to Treacy's reputation for consistency, having kicked at least a goal in 28 consecutive games before hitting the skids in round eight this year.
Despite the lack of goals in recent weeks, Treacy's presence has been critical in Fremantle's four-match winning run, with his powerful marking up the ground and bullocking attack on both the ball and player proving inspirational.
Treacy also took a match-saving mark deep in defence with three opponents around him in the dying moments of Fremantle's six-point win over North Melbourne last week.
"Those are the special moments that win you games," Serong said ahead of Thursday night's clash with Essendon at Optus Stadium.
"He (Treacy) is our most important player. He's someone we can just kick it to and know either he's marking it or getting it to the ground.
"And then what he does at ground level is incredible.
"The attack on the footy that he has - it's not very often that he's coming off second best. He's a pretty special player.
"So internally, there's no question about his impact on the game."
big Josh Treacy, big MOTY nom 😍
— Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) June 16, 2025
VOTE for our guy → https://t.co/py0crZGazv#foreverfreo pic.twitter.com/W9bXmiD5mq
Treacy's bullocking work has played a massive role in helping fellow spearhead Patrick Voss to thrive.
Voss, who was delisted by Essendon in 2023 without playing a game, has kicked six goals across his past two games and looms as a key figure again on Thursday night against his former team.
The Dockers will be without Alex Pearce (shin) for a third straight match, while ruckman Sean Darcy has been rested and forward Sam Switkowski (hamstring) is injured.
Nathan O'Driscoll and James Aish come into the side.
Essendon's decision to rest veteran ruck Todd Goldstein means they'll unveil their 11th debutant of the season - Vigo Visentini.
Ben Hobbs comes in for Archer Day-Wicks.
The 12th-placed Bombers (6-7) are on a three-match losing streak, and are still licking their wounds following last week's 95-point defeat to Geelong.
"They've had a couple this year where they've responded really well after tough losses, so they'll be fired up," Serong said.
