It’s not often key defender Alex Pearce shows empathy for key forwards, but the Walyalup captain is already excited about what young trio Luke Jackson, Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy have produced in what he calls the AFL’s toughest position.
While Pearce kept Swans star Buddy Franklin goalless on one end on Saturday, all three of Freo’s talls kicked multiple goals at the other, with Jackson leading the way with three goals.
At 21, Jackson is the oldest of the group, with Treacy 20 years old and Amiss 19.
Pearce said they can only get better as they gain experience individually and as a group.
“It’s tough playing as a key forward in the AFL. It’s probably the hardest position to play and all three haven’t played a heap of footy,” Pearce told 6PR.
“They’re really young and still have so much to learn (but) they’re all really talented.
“On the weekend things really clicked, they took some really good marks and kicked some goals. It was their effort around the ball and their pressure was what really impressed me.”
Pearce has already seen what the trio are capable of when playing on them at training.
“It doesn’t come as a surprise,” Pearce said.
“I’ve seen that they’ve delivered now at the Club for a while and it's great they can get some reward.
“Hopefully the confidence from the last couple of weeks fuels them and helps them to keep improving as the season goes on.”
The praise has also come from outside the Club, with Leigh Montagna hailing Walyalup’s ‘next generation of key forwards’.
“For the second time in their career, the three boys have played together in the one side,” Montagna said.
“This could be the key forward combination (Walyalup) have been crying out for since (Matthew) Pavlich.
“I love how they all worked together. They keep separation and they all offer different things.
“Treacy is the big bull, the real competitive guy. He's also got a turn of speed, not many 195m key forwards tuck the ball under the arm and run and bounce.
“Luke Jackson is that off ball player that can float across and take a mark. We know what he’s capable of at ground level.
“Jye Amiss is full chested, leads out (and) presents at the kicker.
“Give them another 30 to 40 games together in the same fowardline, and maybe this is what they have been waiting for.
“When the midfield is on and the ball movement is flowing, it gives the forwards a chance. It’s something they can build from.”
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