Travis Colyer backs Fremantle Dockers teammate Josh Treacy to play alongside Matt Taberner, Rory Lobb

Grab your boards, Fremantle fans. Travis Colyer says the surf’s up because Josh “The Big Cohuna” Treacy isn’t going anywhere. Treacy backed up a break-out three-goal performance against the Western Bulldogs with a starring role in the Dockers’ 11.10 (76) to 6.13 (49) win over Gold Coast at Optus Stadium on Saturday. The teenage beast kicked 2.3 and made his presence felt, using his 94kg frame to crash packs and intimidate an undersized Suns defence. Second-year coach Justin Longmuir has used the trifecta of Treacy, leading spearhead Matt Taberner and Rory Lobb together just three times this season. But Colyer has no doubt there’s room for all of them should they be available for their round 15 clash against Collingwood scheduled for Marvel Stadium on June 26. “I said to Josh after the game, ‘Some days they’re going to stick and you’re going to kick them, some days they’re not going to stick but you’re bringing it to the ground’,” Colyer said. “We’re just keeping it really simple with what he needs to be doing and he’s just applying himself to it. “The presence that someone of that age (18) has is just brilliant and the more that he keeps putting himself into positions, the better he’s going to be. “He’s like a sponge. He just listens and learns and wants to be better and improve. “He isn’t content with how he’s performing, he wants to keep getting better and keep going. To see that from a young player really encourages those around and he’s leading the young boys in the forward line.” Fremantle head into the bye with a 6-7 record, just one win outside the eight and are set to get a plethora of stars back after the break, including dual Brownlow medal-winning skipper Nat Fyfe. This gives Colyer and his teammates’ plenty of confidence they can still push for their first finals series since 2015. “We have to be aiming and believing for (finals),” Colyer said. “If we can continue just apply ourselves to what JL and the coaches are putting in front of us then I firmly believe it’s going to hold us in good stead. “From where we came from last year to where we are now, even really for me over the last month, not necessarily getting the results that we wanted… I think it’s showing that guys are getting confidence that ‘hey this is actually working’. “No one’s being asked to do anything special or above and beyond their role and with the guys out (on Saturday) that’s what was reinforced. Just guys continuing to buy into what we’re trying to do, what we’re trying to achieve. “I’m very confident that when we start getting towards full strength we’re going to be pretty dangerous.” This season has already been a career-best one for Colyer at the Dockers, having played 13 games for the side for the first time since crossing from Essendon at the end of 2018. It’s already the second-most he’s ever played in a season and has him on track to equal the 22 he played for the Bombers in 2017. “Consistency is something in my career I haven’t really been able to do,” Colyer said. “Starting back in October and leading into the pre-season it was just simplifying everything. Having really good conversations with JL and (forwards coach) David Hale and just making it easier for me to be able to assess my performances and focusing on what I can bring to the side and not necessarily what I’m not able to do. “Each game I go into it with one or two really clear focuses and that’s really all I’m trying to achieve. “I feel like now that I can tick that box, I can start showing the playing group what I’m able to do with my legs and my drive because that is my strength and that’s what I focus on. “It’s only 13 games. For me internally as a motivator, it’s to continue this. “It’s about getting those opportunities where I’m going OK in a game and grabbing it by the horns and going ‘hey, I’m going to do something important for the team’.”

Travis Colyer backs Fremantle Dockers teammate Josh Treacy to play alongside Matt Taberner, Rory Lobb

The No. 1 source of news for every West Australian

Everyday Digital

Everyday Digital + Weekend Papers