RECAP: Fremantle Dockers fall to Hawthorn in qualifying final at Optus Stadium

Fremantle has been condemned to having to go the long way to a grand final after being stunned by the Hawks at Optus Stadium. Recap all the action from our blog!

Headshot of Aaron Kirby
Aaron Kirby
The West Australian
The Hawks have beaten the Dockers.
The Hawks have beaten the Dockers. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos

AFL: Fremantle has been condemned to having to go the long way to a grand final after being stunned by the Hawks at Optus Stadium.

Justin Longmuir pulled a selection shock in the lead in, naming Brandon Walker, who had made just three AFL appearances in two seasons, to combat Nick Watson.

And while it worked for three quarters, Walker ended up injured.

Walker joined Murphy Reid, Jye Amiss, Heath Chapman and Sam Switkowski as ins for Fremantle while Jack Ginnivan’s return was the only change at Hawthorn.

But in the end, it all came down to another slow finals start.

Recap all the action from our blog!

Amiss!

One clearance, one goal.

The Dockers have their first goal since the opening major of the game.

Serong won the ball and got it to Brayshaw who escaped, delivering the ball onto Amiss’ chest.

FRE 16, HAW 43

Clearance lift

There’s a simple area where the Dockers need to be better, clearances.

Not a single man in purple has more than two clearances.

Being first to the ball in that area will negate the Hawks pressure and let the home side dictate as they have done all year.

Time for a lift.

HT: Fremantle 10, Hawthorn 43

The Dockers did well to limit the damage but they are not learning from their mistakes.

It’s far too wet for the quick handballs and dinky kicks they are trying to use.

It’s not helping that every time they go long they are miles off the mark and can’t buy a one-on-one win.

Clark is playing his heart out with 20 touches and Jackson has been strong in the air.

However, their movers are off the boil.

Watson is also threatening to break the game open despite Walker playing him pretty well.

The Hawks also deserve full credit for their pressure and physicality, it has been elite.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 03: Dylan Moore (left) and Jack Ginnivan of the Hawks celebrate during the 2026 AFL First Qualifying Final between the Fremantle Dockers and the Hawthorn Hawks at Optus Stadium on September 3, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)
Dylan Moore (left) and Jack Ginnivan of the Hawks celebrate. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Fair grab!

Clark is a one-man Dockers team right now!

He’s had 16 touches and launches into the sky for a huge sit to get a repeat 50.

However, his teammates waste the chance and have to go again.

FRE 10, HAW 42

Boil over?

The Dockers are not even in the contest right now.

They are clinging on for dear life as the Hawks pepper away at goal.

Freo’s forwards need to start offering an outlet becuase they can’t escape the back half.

FRE 10, HAW 42

Too many

The Dockers are a team under the pump at the moment and they are panicking.

They are using the handball too often and when they kick it’s rushed without real direction.

The Hawks are set up really well behind the ball and are tackling with reckless abondon.

FRE 10, HAW 35

Playing on

Freo skipper Alex Pearce is battling on after dislocating his finger early in the first term.

He had it popped back in and remains out on the ground guarding Mitch Lewis.

FRE 9, HAW 28

Purple party

There is a huge crowd in the house tonight and despite a poor first term from their side, they are making their voices heard.

QT: Fremantle 9, Hawthorn 28

Fremantle fans were frustrated with some of the umpire calls but there players found themselves being outbodied in the contest.

Their hot movement from the opening 10 minutes turned into panic gives as the Hawks increased their pressure across the term.

Erasmus and Clark are racking up the touches and are into double digits but its all coming under intense pressure.

The rain struck late to make matters worse as the home side struggled to find their key forwards for outlet kicks.

The Hawks’ pressure forwards are doing most of the damage and the Dockers need to start winning the contest further in their half.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 03: Jack Gunston of the Hawks celebrates a goal during the 2026 AFL First Qualifying Final between the Fremantle Dockers and the Hawthorn Hawks at Optus Stadium on September 3, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)
Jack Gunston of the Hawks celebrates a goal. Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

The dozen

Gunston kicks his 12th goal at Optus for the season and gives the Hawks their fourth on the trot.

The Dockers already have their highest score in the first quarter of a final under Longmuir but they need to find something in these last four minutes.

FRE 9, HAW 27

Originally published on The West Australian

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