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.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
cheers AD.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
As much as I hate to admit it, your boys were far too good today. Congrats Birdman, have a good one!
Birdman
Roar Rookie
a rare Interstate game. 4 points and a bit of a % boost = a pretty good weekend for Hawks supporters
perry cox
Roar Guru
Full Time Hawthorn have jumped back into the top 8, and given themselves a lovely little percentage booster, overpowering an undermanned Fremantle side 17.10.112 to 7.11.53. The Hawks kicked the first two of the game, and while the Dockers kept with the Hawks in the first quarter, from quarter time is was all Hawthorn, as they outscored the home side 12 goals to 4 in the final three quarters. Tom Mitchell once again had a heap of the ball, as well as goals, while the possessions and goal from O'Meara will also have Alistair Clarkson happy. Not much to take out of the game for Fremantle, as they try to get troops back, clearly they were missing Sandilands and Fyfe, and hope to bounce back for the western derby. Hawks by 59.
Fremantle Dockers: 53 Hawthorn Hawks: 112
marine boy
Guest
Cheers Freo! .....
perry cox
Roar Guru
4th Q - Goal 27' - Freo with the first 50m free of the afternoon, with a minute to go. Ball inside the Dockers' 50. And they jag a high snapping goal! Hawks by 59.
Fremantle Dockers: 53 Hawthorn Hawks: 112
perry cox
Roar Guru
4th Q - Behind 26' - Schoenmakers just wide. Hawks by 65.
Fremantle Dockers: 47 Hawthorn Hawks: 112
perry cox
Roar Guru
4th Q 25' - Worpel with a phenomenal kick, finds Schoenmakers inside 50, and he will line up for goal number 3.
Fremantle Dockers: 47 Hawthorn Hawks: 111
perry cox
Roar Guru
4th Q - Goal 24' - And Schoenmakers kicks true. Hawks by 64
Fremantle Dockers: 47 Hawthorn Hawks: 111
perry cox
Roar Guru
4th Q 23' - And Schoenmakers back into the action - strong contested mark, inside 50, right in front, and not far out.
Fremantle Dockers: 47 Hawthorn Hawks: 105
perry cox
Roar Guru
4th Q - Goal 22' - And the Hawks crack the ton! O'Meara races into the inside 50, he races away from Hill - there's the pace the Hawks need - and he slots it home. Hawks by 58.
Fremantle Dockers: 47 Hawthorn Hawks: 105
perry cox
Roar Guru
4th Q - Behind 21' - Mundy snaps for a point, after Hamling tries to get himself a goal. Hawks by 52.
Fremantle Dockers: 47 Hawthorn Hawks: 99
perry cox
Roar Guru
4th Q 19' - And Fremantle are coming, Frawley takes an important contested mark inside 50 to spoil the party.
Fremantle Dockers: 46 Hawthorn Hawks: 99
perry cox
Roar Guru
4th Q 18' - Oh Freo - you hate to see it. All the possession, all the territory, they are in space with numbers, but they can't get the ball through the sticks, and the Hawks clean up.
Fremantle Dockers: 46 Hawthorn Hawks: 99
perry cox
Roar Guru
4th Q - Goal 16' - And Tucker from the goal square, finishes off some quick movement from the right flank for the Dockers. Great goal Where has that been for three quarters?! Hawks by 53.
Fremantle Dockers: 46 Hawthorn Hawks: 99
marine boy
Guest
you can guess...
perry cox
Roar Guru
4th Q - Goal 14' - Brayshaw with the mark inside 50! He'll line up for a kick on goal, almost right in front. Nails it, and the crowd cheers. Hawks by 59.
Fremantle Dockers: 40 Hawthorn Hawks: 99
Downsey
Guest
Can't fault effort of most of them. There's unquestionably young talent out there, but they're simply outbodied and outclassed.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
huge game next weeks against the old enemy in Essendon
perry cox
Roar Guru
4th Q - Behind 12' - Matera with the snap! It's high, it's straight, it's on target, oh no - it's hit the post. Damn, that was unlucky. Hawks by 65.
Fremantle Dockers: 34 Hawthorn Hawks: 99