HAWTHORN spearhead Jack Gunston has failed a fitness test on his sore ankle and been ruled out of Friday night's preliminary final against Fremantle in Perth.

But the star forward would be "a really good chance" to return for the Grand Final, if the Hawks can overcome the Dockers. 

Gunston needed to prove he could change directions at a faster pace on Wednesday, but couldn't satisfy the Hawks he would be able to perform in the intensity of a preliminary final.

Match preview: Fremantle v Hawthorn

“We decided this morning that he’s not quite made enough progress to warrant his selection in the big final this week,” general manager of football operations Chris Fagan told the club's website. 

“We’re happy with how he’s improved, but we don’t think that he’s quite at the level yet where he can play in a big final.”

Gunston's ankle buckled awkwardly under his body in the last quarter of Hawthorn's qualifying final defeat to West Coast 12 days ago and he missed the semi-final thumping of Adelaide. 

Despite feeling "pretty confident" he would be available to face Fremantle, the Hawks' leading goalkicker couldn't clear the fitness staff's hurdles.

“He’s pulled up well on each occasion, but he hasn’t got to the level where you can confidently say that he’s going to be able to play in a highly intense game on Friday night,” Fagan said.

"So it's best off to rest him, give him the chance to stay back here and continue to get treatment.

"He's obviously going to be hoping like mad that we win on Friday night and he then becomes a really good chance to play in a Grand Final. We'll just see what happens."

Gunston is the only absentee from the Hawks' best 22 this week, and his injury is likely to see swingman Ryan Schoenmakers hold his spot for the Dockers clash.

"We’re very fortunate, we’ve got a very small injury list at the moment so we’re in really good shape to put up a good performance on Friday night,” Fagan said.

An advance party of six Hawks – led by skipper Luke Hodge - was set to arrive in Perth on Wednesday afternoon after flying a day ahead of their teammates.

Buy tickets for Fremantle v Hawthorn