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!
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!
Key events
03 Sep 2026 - 08:59 PM
MATCH REPORT
03 Sep 2026 - 08:40 PM
THREE-WORD ANALYSIS
03 Sep 2026 - 08:37 PM
FT: Fremantle 40, Hawthorn 72
03 Sep 2026 - 08:09 PM
Walker out
03 Sep 2026 - 08:03 PM
3QT: Fremantle 31, Hawthorn 64
03 Sep 2026 - 07:14 PM
HT: Fremantle 10, Hawthorn 43
03 Sep 2026 - 06:41 PM
QT: Fremantle 9, Hawthorn 28
03 Sep 2026 - 06:14 PM
On the board!
03 Sep 2026 - 05:06 PM
Heavens open
03 Sep 2026 - 04:14 PM
Traffic warning
03 Sep 2026 - 04:10 PM
The one everyone’s talking about
Wharfie Time
The Hawks are the only team to force the Dockers to use Wharfie Time this year in round nine.
The Women used it on Sunday and fell just short against Carlton.
Will it be needed tonight?
Heavens open
The rain has arrived at Optus Stadium.
There is expected to be some showers throughout the night but hopefully nothing heavy.
Pearce test?
The Freo skipper is the first Docker on the ground for an official warm-up and he does some run throughs before running at the ball and taking some marks.
He gets a high five afterwards so if it was a quick test he passed with flying colours.
The Malthouse take
Reunion
2018 premiership Eagles Tom Barrass and Will Schofield have shared a hug in the middle of Optus Stadium as the Hawks continue to take some shots at goal.
The pair were pillars of that premiership and the Hawks will be hoping Barrass can lead them to the promised land as well.
Early birds
The Hawks are already out on the ground getting some reps in.
Josh Treacy was the first player on the grass as usual earlier with Pat Voss right beside him.
Traffic warning
If you’re tuning into the coverage before or while you’re heading to the ground, make sure you give yourself plenty of time.
There are expected delays of up to 45 minutes for public transport and the roads will be filled.
The one everyone’s talking about
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir’s decision to select Brandon Walker for tonight’s qualifying final against Hawthorn will be viewed as either a stroke of genius or a sign of panic when the game ends at Optus Stadium.
Welcome!
The atmosphere is already starting to build outside Optus Stadium while there is currently blue skies above Optus Stadium.
This is the moment for Fremantle.
A win tonight puts them in the box seat for a shot at the flag with a home preliminary final but a loss to the Hawks makes the road so much harder.
The Dockers have called Brandon Walker into the side for only his second game of the season and it could be a make-or-break selection.
Originally published on The West Australian
