FREMANTLE star Josh Treacy has warned opposition defenders may struggle to man up sub Jye Amiss in 2025 after the young goalkeeper returns from his third off-season with more size and strength.

Amiss was among 16 young Dockers who returned to practice on Thursday; Treacy has also taken to the track but got off to a cautious start as he recovers from a PCL injury late last season.

While the 22-year-old said the players all returned in good shape, it was Amiss who stood out last year with an increase in upper body strength as he struggled to resist the physical approach of players at the back towards him.

“From the looks of it this morning, he’s put on a few more pounds, so I’d be a little nervous if you wanted to wrestle him again this year,” Treacy said Thursday.

“I think it’s pretty exciting that he’s already trying to improve in this game and yeah, I think it’s going to be a really exciting battle between the forwards and the centre-backs this year, especially in training.

“I think it will be very competitive and I think it will be the best thing for us.”

Treacy suffered a PCL injury in round 21 last season and missed the final three rounds, spending some of his off-season time rehabbing and being in and out of training as he headed in for a long running session on Thursday.

The powerful striker, who made a big breakthrough in 2024 and scored 45 goals, said that he will be carefully managed for a few weeks before going into full training.

“I spent a lot of time here with the rehab team (in the off-season), doing everything I could at this time of year to give myself the best opportunity and get myself ready for next year,” Treacy said. .

“I’m still coming back from the knee a little bit so he’ll be monitored a little bit, but everything is going really well and he’s in a good position so don’t worry about it in a few weeks.”

Treacy chose not to watch football in last year’s finals series due to the disappointment of losing out on top eight places, but reflected on his own game and how he could be better in 2025.

The young Victorian finished fourth in the Doig Medal after taking charge of the Dockers’ forward line, but there was still room to improve after emerging as one of the most exciting young key position players in the game.

“I really wanted to sit down and think about what next year would look like for me, what would be best for me and what I could bring to make us a really good team,” Treacy said.

“I’m definitely not going to take my foot off the gas, that’s for sure. I’m just trying to keep growing and getting better.”

“I know there is a lot of work to do and a long way to go. I will continue to value the right things and surround myself with good people, which will help me have a good year.”