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DOCKERS v HAWKS Full game coverage and statistics
If Hawthorn had allowed himself to think about the final again after defeating Carlton in the drought last week, these prospects disappeared just as quickly through Fremantle on Monday evening.
>> SEE ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
Instead of using last Friday’s inspired performance as a stepping stone to the second half of a shortened season, the Hawks instead reverted to the flat form that preceded it with a dismal 16-point loss to Dockers.
Fremantle, on the other hand, gave its aging adversaries a glimpse of how adolescents can inspire enthusiasm. The first-round draft picks Andrew Brayshaw (33 exits) and Adam Cerra (26 exits, eight points) were among the best in a comfortable win.
Another top 10 player, Caleb Serong, continued his impressive development and continued to build on an ever-new NAB AFL Rising Star case with 20 outlets and six approvals.
Andrew Brayshaw gets a handball against Hawthorn. Image: AFL Photos
Their influence was particularly pronounced after the break when the Dockers scored three unanswered goals in the third season to capitalize on their dominance in midfield and take full advantage of the advantage on the scoreboard.
‘SHORT-TERM FIX’ star striker Hogan prepared for shock
Tom Mitchell (32 exits, eight clearances) was busy with the competition but had few helping hands in one night that could ultimately signal the end of the Hawks’ dwindling hopes for the final.
The future lies with Freo’s first division club
If Fremantle has played well this season, it has been former top 5 picks Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra who have often taken the lead. The pair’s evolution has not been exactly linear, and while both of them struggled to influence the Games on certain occasions during their first two full seasons in an AFL system, they are finally beginning to realize their immense potential. On Monday evening, the two were strong in competition and noble on the outside. They also gained a lot of footy, beating a Hawthorn midfield with Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara. Alongside a trio of top 10 picks from last year in Hayden Young, Caleb Serong, and Liam Henry, the future looks bright for Freo.
Adam Cerra breaks away from some Hawthorn opponents. Image: AFL Photos
Will ‘Frost Ball’ work for the Hawks?
Alastair Clarkson likes methodical things. For this reason, the thought of ‘Frost Ball’, the term for Sam Frost’s unpredictable ball-in-hand nature, fascinated many in Clarkson’s system when he moved from Melbourne to Hawthorn last October. It worked effectively last week when a galloping frost run resulted in a crucial goal against Carlton that helped change the dynamics of the game. It wasn’t like that on Monday evening. Frost had a nice intercept mark at the end of the first quarter and then started. He shrugged, jumped in traffic, and then ran another 20 meters without jumping. He was pinged for walking too far and Fremantle quickly exposed a Hawthorn backline that was terribly out of position due to sales. Matt Taberner converted the opportunity and the 12 point swing proved costly.
The Dockers ‘out-Hawthorn’ the Hawks
Hawthorn built his dynasty from 2013-2015 by controlling ownership, controlling the pace, and controlling the outcome. This is exactly what Fremantle did to Alastair Clarkson’s side on Monday night. Remarkably, the Dockers had 99 more exits and 20 marks more than the Hawks in their impressive win. In fact, nine of the top ten ball winners on the floor were Fremantle players. However, they were also tough in competition, putting on 15 more tackles and also winning the hotly contested fight that night. The hosts drilled holes through Hawthorn by moving the ball slowly but in a controlled manner to ensure they were consistently well placed on the defensive. The serenity and maturity of Fremantle’s ball movement would have been perhaps the most gratifying aspect of the win for coach Justin Longmuir in the first year.
FREMANTLE 3.1 4.4 7.4 7.6 (48)
HAWTHORN 1.1 2.4 2.6 4.8 (32)
GATES
Fremantle: Taberner 2, Darcy, Fyfe, Colyer, Schultz, Bewley
Hawthorn: Breust 2, Gunston, Sicily
BEST
Fremantle: Brayshaw, Fyfe, Cerra, Ryan, Wilson, Serong, Mundy
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Morrison, O’Meara, Sicily, Scrimshaw
INJURIES
Fremantle: Colyer (thigh), Blakely (shoulder)
Hawthorn: Smith (shoulder)
