Fremantle defender Hayden Young is backing Jye Amiss to overcome the goal-kicking yips, saying the emerging key forward has the right technique to flourish in front of goal.
Amiss was renowned for his accuracy even before he entered the AFL system, and his 41.17 last year reinforced that reputation.
But the wheels have fallen off dramatically this year, in the form of 14.15 through 10 games.
In last week's draw against Collingwood, Amiss kicked 0.1 and put another shot out on the full, from just four disposals.
The 20-year-old will have the chance to bounce back in unfamiliar territory this Sunday when he lines up against Melbourne at Traeger Park in Alice Springs.
Young is confident Amiss will soon regain his mojo.
"He's a great goal-kicker; he hasn't lost his ability," Young said.
"He's just got the yips at the moment, and that happens.
"We just have to keep supporting him and get around him. I'm sure it will turn soon.
"It's probably just a mental thing. He'll have people around him supporting him through that."
Fremantle have never played an AFL match at Traeger Park, but former Demon Luke Jackson played there once before when with Melbourne.
The ruck battle will likely be a key to Sunday's match, with Jackson and Sean Darcy set to tag team against Melbourne's star big man Max Gawn.
With Fremantle's forward line struggling to fire of late, there's more pressure than ever on the midfield to contribute more goals.
The Dockers' A-grade midfielders aren't noted goal-kickers, with Caleb Serong (zero goals), Andrew Brayshaw (three), Nat Fyfe (two) and Hayden Young (four) combining for just nine this season.
Young, who only switched from defence into the midfield late last season, looms as the most likely midfielder to become an attacking weapon, given his devastating left boot.
His tally for 2024 would have been even bigger if not for the 0.3 he kicked against St Kilda a fortnight ago.
Young put that aside to kick a crucial late goal under pressure against Collingwood last week.
"It's something that I've worked on quite a bit," Young said on hitting the scoreboard more regularly.
"I had a few opportunities earlier in the year, and I felt a bit rushed and panicked in those moments.
"So I've done a lot of work on just remaining really calm in front of goal and treating each kick on its merits.
"Against St Kilda I kicked three points, so I can't really say I've nailed it.
"I'm still working on it and still trying to improve. But it was nice against Collingwood to get the ball and feel comfortable, and go through my routine of kicking a goal."
