[VIDEO] Hawthorn Hawks vs Fremantle Dockers highlights: AFL scores, blog

Match Result:

Hawthorn has sent a statement to the rest of the competition with a resounding win over the table topping Fremantle.

>> MATCH REPORT: Hawks trounce Fremantle in Tassie

It was a great four quarter effort all around the ground, with 10 different goal kickers, a defence that stood up under whatever adversity it faced during the second quarter and a midfield that dominated from the first bounce.

Fremantle’s lead at the top of the ladder is now back to just four points, while Hawthorn are putting pressure on Sydney and West Coast as they come into such scintillating form.

Hawthorn were up in almost every stat, with their work from the stoppages the standout. They won the clearance count 49 to 30, with 9 more from the centre bounces and 10 more from stoppages around the ground.

That was all despite losing the hitouts 44 to 58, with their tackling – 84 to 58 – making sure that any Fremantle attack was snuffed out.

Adding to that, their defence rebounded with lethal force, as they helped their side to go inside 50 54 times for a total of 30 scores, while resisting Fremantle’s 38 inside 50 entries.

The domination can also be put down to something as simple as the disposal count, with Hawthorn finishing with 425 to Freo’s 308.

Luke Breust kicked four majors, with Luke Hodge adding three of his own, and Ben McEvoy and Paul Puopolo getting two each to be make up the multiple goal kicker list. Lewis, Mitchell, Smith, Duryea, Hale and Hill also hit the scoreboard.

Sam Mitchell was best on ground with his 39 disposals, 10 marks and goal, and Grant Birchall rebounded well with his 31 disposals alongside Josh Gibson who had 27 touches and 9 marks. Skipper Luke Hodge was also a standout with 31 disposals and the 3 goals mentioned.

There weren’t too many performances from Freo to write home about, but Barlow (26 disposals, 7 marks, 1 goal), Mundy (24 disposals, 1 goal) and Fyfe (21 disposals) fought hard all day to no avail. Pavlich, Barlow, Neale, Mayne, Mundy and Walters kicked their goals.

Hawthorn 17.13.115 def. Fremantle 6.7.43

Match Preview:

The Hawthorn Hawks and Fremantle Dockers will look to claim the status of premiership favourites when they clash at Aurora Stadium on Sunday. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:20pm (AEST).

Hawthorn will travel to their second home in Tasmania with a great deal of confidence having won their last 13 games in Launceston, as well as six out of the last seven against the Dockers.

Tasmania has not been such a happy hunting ground for the visitors, they have managed to register just one win from nine attempts.

In more recent times, the Hawks have won five in a row, mostly in convincing fashion despite not hitting their usual best form.

Fremantle have also hit some form hurdles, yet they have still managed to maintain top spot by winning ugly in the games that you would expect them to win nonetheless.

A win for either side would provide a comfortable two game cushion from the teams below them respectively – Collingwood (fifth, 32 points) as well as West Coast (second, 40 points) and Sydney (third, 40 points).

Either way, it will provide a key test as to which team deserves to truly be labelled as the number one contender come finals time.

This battle may well prove to be one where an unstoppable force meets an immovable object, with the Hawks averaging a score of 109 points, while the Dockers only concede an average of 63.

Something also has to give in the battle of possession, with the first and third ranked teams looking to control the tempo of the game. That in itself may be a struggle, with the typically wet and/or windy conditions in Tassie set to play a part.

If anything, a wet ball would suit Fremantle’s more defensive mindset and structure as opposed to the Hawks’ more dangerous attacking prowess.

Hawthorn will come into the game with at least one change, with Jonathon Ceglar omitted and Ben McEvoy, Alex Woodward, Angus Litherland and Billy Hartung making up an extended bench.

For Fremantle, Jonathon Griffin, Tendai Mzungu and Cameron Sutcliffe were named in the squad on the interchange.

Prediction:
This will be a significant test of Fremantle’s premiership credentials, but given their form, the disadvantage of playing at Aurora and how Hawthorn rise to such occasions, they may well fall short.

Hawks by 7 points.