Markets 
Justin Chadwick
Far from basking in the glow of Fremantle’s record All-Australian haul, star forward Josh Treacy says there’s only one thing on the group’s mind heading into September – premiership success.
The Dockers had a league-high five players named in the 23-man All-Australian squad unveiled earlier this week, with Treacy joined by Murphy Reid, Jordan Clark, Luke Jackson and Shai Bolton.
And it could have been even more for the minor premiers, with the likes of Alex Pearce, Jye Amiss and Caleb Serong considered unlucky to miss out following standout seasons.
Fremantle’s previous best number of All-Australian representatives was three – set in 2003 and 2014.
But as nice as individual rewards are, Fremantle’s stars are more focused on landing the club its maiden flag – something that’s been 32 years in the making for the Dockers.
“It (the All-Australian recognition) is nice individually, but personally it’s not what I’m trying to achieve, that’s for sure,” Treacy said.
“I think team success is the main theme and that’s something we’ve been striving to achieve for years now.
“Personally, my biggest goal of this footy club is to take it down a path that it’s never been down before, and get us all the way.”
That path starts next Thursday, when Fremantle take on Hawthorn in a qualifying final at Optus Stadium.
Dockers players were given an extra dose of motivation on Wednesday afternoon when small forward Sam Switkowski announced his shock retirement.
The 29-year-old will play out the rest of the season before hanging up his boots, and Fremantle players are desperate to send him off with a flag.
“It was a massive shock,” Treacy said.
“I’m still trying to process it really, but I obviously respect his decision and support his decision, and it’s going to be hard to see him go.
“I reckon there was already a fair bit of motivation there, but I think this is going to add a little bit more spice into the boys.
“I know he certainly won’t want that about him, but it’ll be exciting to help send him off in the right way.”
Fremantle’s flag hopes ended at the first hurdle last year when they suffered a one-point elimination final loss to Gold Coast in Perth.
The Dockers brushed aside that disappointment to finish one win clear on top of the ladder in 2026 with a 19-4 record.
That campaign featured a club-record 14-match winning run as Fremantle made a habit of triumphing in close games, with the pain of last year’s loss to Gold Coast proving to be a vital learning curve.
“Clearly it was a sour way to finish last year, but the growth we’ve shown in games like that this year has been massive for us,” Treacy said.
AAP
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