Dockers too strong for Hawks

Hawthorn faltered badly in front of goal as Fremantle secured their passage through
to the second week of September with a 30-point AFL elimination final victory at a
packed Subiaco Oval on Saturday.
The Hawks endured a horror first half, posting just 1.11 and losing Cyril Rioli
(hamstring) and Xavier Ellis (ankle) to injury as the Dockers took a handy 23-point
lead into half-time.
Although a clearly hampered Ellis returned to the fray in the second half, Hawthorn
lacked the manpower, skill and desire to launch a genuine challenge as the Dockers
ran out 14.10 (94) to 8.16 (64) winners in front of 42,719 fans.
Fremantle's win sets up a semi-final against Geelong at the MCG on Friday night,
while Hawthorn's campaign is over at the first hurdle.
But the Dockers will be sweating on the fitness of ruckman Aaron Sandilands, who
copped a knock to his knee early in the game and spent the majority of his time
perched in the forward line.
Luke Hodge was a shadow of himself in his first game back from a knee injury,
managing just 13 possessions up to three quarter time opposed to Fremantle
antagonist Adam McPhee.
Jarryd Roughead (four goals) booted two goals in the last quarter to add some
respectability to the scoreboard, while Lance Franklin (two goals) was well beaten
by Luke McPharlin.
Fremantle entered the match with 13 finals debutants compared to the Hawks' three.
But it was the Dockers' band of youngsters that flourished in the pressure-cooker
atmosphere of a do-or-die final.
Stephen Hill, Anthony Morabito, Nat Fyfe, and Greg Broughton all shone, but it was
David Mundy (25 possessions) who stood the tallest.
Matthew Pavlich finished with three goals.
Hawthorn were well served by Shaun Burgoyne and Sam Mitchell but the pair were let
down by their error-riddled teammates.
Hodge and McPhee set the tone for the match before the bounce, exchanging a series
of jumper punches on the wing that could land the pair in trouble from the match
review panel.
Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett wasn't present to see the early biffo after his
plane from Melbourne, which also contained the match's MC Craig Willis, was delayed
by two hours.
Kennett arrived at the ground late in the first quarter by which point Fremantle had
already set the early tone, with their ferocious tackling setting up a 17-point lead
at the first break.
Hawthorn dominated general play for most of the second quarter but lacked the polish
up forward to finish it off, registering just seven behinds for the term.
In contrast, Fremantle posted 2.1 for the quarter to go into half-time with a handy
23-point buffer.
The Hawks dominated the inside 50 count 29-18 in the first half but their inability
to turn that into scoreboard pressure allowed Fremantle to take control of the
contest.
Two weeks ago, Hawthorn put a Dockers 'B' side to the sword by 116 points in Tasmania.
But Fremantle showed their 'A' side was a completely different prospect to deal
with, racing out to a 42-point lead at the final change before taking their foot off
the pedal somewhat in the last quarter.



Delete & Prev | Delete & Next