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Tom Mitchell boosted his Brownlow Medal hopes and helped give Hawthorn an important percentage boost in Sunday’s 59-point thrashing of Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Fremantle Dockers 7.11.53
Hawthorn Hawks 17.10.112
We look to complete Round 19 with the struggling Fremantle Dockers playing host to a top eight aspirant, the Hawthorn Hawks, at Optus Stadium in Perth. Join The Roar for live scores and updates and a blog of the match from 4:40pm (AEST).
Surely there comes a time when Ross Lyon will be asked to justify his hefty price tag and credentials, given that the Dockers have been in a sort of timeless re-build for three seasons now.
As the Dockers come into their Round 19 clash in 13th position, fresh off the back of a gallant loss to the Bombers, but a loss nonetheless, at what point do questions get asked: is this Fremantle team going anywhere?
Today’s game provides an excellent opportunity for the Dockers who, while out of the finals contention with that loss to Essendon, will still want to finish the year to prove a point (whatever that point may be).
Nothing like the sweet return to those comforting confines of home, and if they can add one or two wins to end the season, finish the year strong, ruin somebody else’s season, at the very least, the Dockers can take something from this year in preparation for 2019.
The continued absence for the Dockers of superstar Nat Fyfe with that hamstring problem doesn’t help, but nor should one player make a team. However, Fremantle will be hoping for Aaron Sandilands (calf) and Sean Darcy (groin) to be fit for the occasion.
As for the Hawks, coming off a commanding win over a poor Carlton (who themselves won overnight over a Suns team that thumped Sydney – go figure) the prospects of facing Fremantle in Perth spells danger game, in capital letters.
The Hawks went into the round holding onto eighth spot on percentage, however results see them outside the eight coming into this game.
While it is easy to look to next rounds with bigger fish to fry (old rivals Essendon and Geelong in the following two rounds), a win for Alastair Clarkson’s men in Perth is a must.
It cannot be under-stated the loss of the likes of Ben McEvoy (cheekbone) and Daniel Howe (suspension) makes a difficult job already harder, but the return of Shaun Burgoyne and Jaeger O’Meara are handy replacements.
Prediction
Hawthorn really should have this one covered, and rightly go into this match favourites. If they can fire anywhere close to how they did last week, then sure, they should take the win. If they don’t, expect Fremantle to take this match with glee, and given that the match is in Perth, that is entirely possible.
Hawthorn Hawks by 15.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 4:40pm AEST.
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