HAWTHORN has maintained its grip on third spot with a clinical 51-point win over a disappointing Fremantle at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night.
In sometimes torrid conditions, the visiting Hawks kicked the first eight goals of the game and held Fremantle goalless in the first and third quarters, eventually winning 13.17 (95) to 6.8 (44).
Led by tough midfielders Brad Sewell (29 disposals), Sam Michell (24), and Jordan Lewis (22), the Hawks dominated Fremantle at the ground where their finals campaign was brought to an abrupt end last year.
And they notched the impressive win—their fifth in six games—without a single goal from spearhead Lance Franklin, who was beaten convincingly by young Freo defender Alex Silvagni.
It was the first time since round three last year that Franklin, who had 19 disposals and kicked 0.3, had been held goalless, ending a run of 33 matches.
It was a disastrous night for Fremantle, which entered the match without ruckman Jon Griffin, who was a late withdrawal with a hip injury, and then lost Rhys Palmer (ankle) and Matt de Boer (knee) to injury.
Mark Harvey's side often appeared stagnant and uninspired, with the loss—their second in succession after last Sunday's Derby defeat—leaving them scrambling to remain in the top eight.
The home side kicked four of the game's last six goals after entering the last break 66 points behind, but the true horror of Fremantle's night was reflected in the lopsided inside 50 count (61-34).
Hawthorn, which was also served well by Josh Gibson and Paul Puopolo in the backline, kicked six unanswered goals in the first quarter, with Cyril Rioli particularly influential early as the visitors capitalised on a strong wind.
Rioli kicked his two goals in that initial burst, with Michael Osborne providing a rare highlight in his 150th match, threading a tough running goal.
The game was effectively over late in the second term when David Hale snapped a goal out of a stoppage to give the Hawks a 53-point lead.
WHAT IT MEANS
Fremantle knocked the Hawks out of the finals last year with a 30-point win at Patersons Stadium, but the club's chances of back-to-back appearances in September now appear slim.
A tough draw to end the season and the likely absence of Aaron Sandilands and David Mundy for another week could see the team drop out of the eight. Hawthorn has also been troubled by injury this season, but Clarkson's men have emerged with their top four chances in fine shape. Captain Luke Hodge should return next week.
INFLUENTIAL PLAYERS
Midfielders Sewell and Mitchell battled for best-afield honours, with Lewis, who took the title of captain in Hodge's absence, hot on their tails. In his second game back from a knee injury, Sewell had a game-high seven inside 50s and an equal game-high 29 disposals (13 contested), thriving in the wet conditions. Mitchell snapped two goals out of forward line stoppages and had a game-high nine clearances. The ball wasn't often in the Hawks' backline, but when it was Josh Gibson and Puopolo mopped up, with the latter winning his battle with Hayden Ballantyne.
Silvagni, who has now conceded a total of four goals in his five games this season, played Franklin superbly, often positioning in front and winning a number of aerial battles. Greg Broughton and Nat Fyfe won plenty of hard ball in the midfield, while young ruckman Zac Clarke battled manfully as the team's No.1 ruckman.
STATS THAT MATTERED
Fremantle won the clearances (51-42), but the Hawks were clearly more effective in their ball movement out of stoppages. The home side also won the contested possession count (174-162), but they always appeared under pressure when in possession. The inside 50 differential—61-34 in Hawthorn's favour—was due to Fremantle's often shocking ball-use coming out of defence, with players up the ground not working hard enough into space. Harvey accused his players of not sticking to team structures.
RAIN DANCE
The match started under lights with rain ominous, but it held off long enough for the Hawks to kick six unanswered goals with a strong breeze at their backs. When it was Fremantle's turn to capitalise on the conditions, a torrential downpour ensued. The rain abated in the second half, but the game was effectively over.
NEXT FOUR: THE FIXTURE AHEAD
Fremantle: Freo head to Etihad Stadium to face the in-form Saints next week. It then hosts Carlton and Collingwood either side of another trip to Melbourne to face the Kangaroos at Etihad.
Hawthorn: The Hawks play North Melbourne in Launceston next week before three straight games in Melbourne against struggling Port Adelaide, fellow top-four contender Carlton and the Western Bulldogs.
DREAM TEAM HIGHLIGHT
Fremantle: On a rough night for the hosts, the ever-reliable Matthew Pavlich ($383,200) still managed 118 points. Nathan Fyfe ($371,100) was next best with 106.
Hawthorn: In the absence of usual star Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell ($455,300) led the Hawks with 96 points. Brad Sewell ($340,700) had 95 points in his second game back from injury.
QUARTER BY QUARTER
FIRST QUARTER
Fremantle wasted early chances in front of goal and Hawthorn made it pay with six unanswered goals in just 12 minutes. Sam Mitchell got things started with a goal from a quick snap, which seemed to open the flood gates. Cyril Rioli scored two goals within five minutes while Isaac Smith, Michael Osborne and Luke Breust also contributed. The Hawks dominated the quarter while Freo struggled with its disposal and could not buy a goal.
Hawthorn by 37.
SECOND QUARTER
Hawthorn had the first nine inside 50s but didn't score the first goal of the quarter until after the halfway mark when Mitchell and David Hale booted goals. Fremantle struggled to get the ball out of their defensive 50 as both sides battled the torrential rain. Ryan Crowley finally got Fremantle's first goal deep into time-on and Matthew Pavlich soon added another. Hawthorn dominated the quarter with 21 inside 50s to four.
Hawthorn by 41.
THIRD QUARTER
The rain eased up early in the quarter, but Hawthorn's pressure didn't. They again dominated play as Hale kicked two quick goals to extend the visitors' lead to 56. To make matters worse, Matt de Boer and Rhys Palmer were forced off with serious injuries in quick succession, leaving Freo a player short. The Hawks were inaccurate in the quarter, kicking eight behinds.
Hawthorn by 66.
FOURTH QUARTER
Zac Clarke kicked the first goal of the quarter for Fremantle from nearly 70 metres out. Hayden Ballantyne then made an impressive snap before Adam McPhee converted from a set shot. That gave Fremantle three straight goals, but it was far too little too late. The Hawks appeared to take the foot off the pedal, but Matt Suckling gave them their first goal of the quarter in time-on.
Hawthorn by 51.
Fremantle 0.2 2.3 2.4 6.8 (44)
Hawthorn 6.3 8.8 11.16 13.17 (95)
GOALS
Fremantle: Pavlich, Crowley, Clarke, Ballantyne, McPhee, Fyfe
Hawthorn: Hale 3, Mitchell 2, Rioli 2, Osborne, Smith, Breust, Ellis, Suckling, Birchall
BEST
Fremantle: Silvagni, Pavlich, Fyfe, Broughton
Hawthorn: Sewell, Mitchell, Lewis, Puopolo, Birchall, Smith, Hale
INJURIES
Fremantle: Jonathan Griffin (hip) replaced in selected side by Clancee Pearce, Matt de Boer (knee), Rhys Palmer (ankle)
Hawthorn: Luke Hodge (knee) replaced in selected side Rick Ladson
SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Matt de Boer replaced by Clancee Pearce in the third quarter.
Hawthorn: Xavier Ellis replaced by Rick Ladson at three-quarter-time.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Farmer, Stevic, Findlay
Official crowd: 30,937 at Patersons Stadium
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
