Fremantle forward Michael Frederick says it would be “scary” to play alongside the trifecta of talls in Jye Amiss, Matt Taberner and Josh Treacy as the Dockers look to find their perfect combination in attack.
Amiss established himself as the prime big man for the Dockers after booting 41 goals in only his second season, while Treacy proved a strong foil in a breakout 2023.
The sight of a fit and firing Taberner this pre-season, after a back injury restricted him to only four games, has added intrigue to how Fremantle will structure up forward of centre this year.
Frederick praised Amiss and Treacy after strong showings in the match simulation on Friday, where the former starred including an incredible goal on his left from deep in the pocket.
“It’s always nice when the midfielders are coming out the front, lowering their eyes and hitting up Jye and Josh,” Frederick told The West Australian.
“They both look good and hopefully, we can see them throughout the season working together and Tabs gets his body right and stays healthy.
“It will be pretty scary running out with those boys in the front six.”
Frederick said the teammates had no expectations of the 20-year-old Amiss despite his incredible 2023 season.
“You can see it, he’s definitely put size on and the boys know how good he is already,” Amiss said.
“It’s just a matter of him being consistent again throughout the year and knowing that he’s probably at a point now with the year he’s had that he might be taking each team’s best key defender.
“It’d be a bit of growth for him, but you only get better by playing on the best as well, so it’ll be exciting to see how he goes to be honest.”
Amiss is likely to no longer fly under the radar of opposition teams and Frederick said the Dockers would have to help protect him.
“We’re all about protecting our own and getting on the front foot as well,” Frederick said.
“If teams are scouting that they’re going to do a job on a player, it’s not just the player fighting through it by themselves.
“It’s a ‘have your teammates back’ mentality and get it done as a 23 not just as an individual.”
Fremantle will begin their 2024 campaign against Brisbane at Optus Stadium on April 17, with pre-season clashes against West Coast (February 24) and Port Adelaide (March 1).