SUMMARY
Facing Fremantle at Optus Stadium will be a tricky proposition for any opponent on the run home and Hawthorn won't want to take the Dockers lightly on Sunday. The Hawks are holding onto eighth spot by a fingernail courtesy of a thumping win over wooden-spoon favourite Carlton. With finals rivals Essendon and Geelong to come, Alastair Clarkson's outfit must avoid a slip-up in Perth or else things could get excruciatingly tense at the business end of the campaign. Freo is out of the finals equation after losing to Essendon but will want to finish the year strongly, especially at home, and needs another win to match last year's tally of eight victories. The Dockers are still missing superstar Nat Fyfe (hamstring), while Hawks ruckman Ben McEvoy's (cheekbone) absence could be sorely felt if Freo regains veteran big man Aaron Sandilands (calf) and Sean Darcy (groin). And could this be the round Freo finally unleashes Harley Bennell after another starring WAFL performance?
WHERE AND WHEN: Optus Stadium, Sunday, July 29, 2.40pm AWST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R18, 2017, Hawthorn 15.10 (100) d Fremantle 7.6 (48) at Subiaco Oval
R8, 2016, Hawthorn 17.14 (116) d Fremantle 11.9 (75) at University of Tasmania Stadium
1PF, 2015, Hawthorn 15.4 (94) d Fremantle 10.7 (67) at Subiaco Oval
R15, 2015, Hawthorn 17.13 (115) d Fremantle 6.7 (43) at University of Tasmania Stadium
R21, 2014, Fremantle 17.8 (110) d Hawthorn 13.13 (91) at Subiaco Oval
THE SIX POINTS
1. Hawthorn has dominated Fremantle this decade, winning 10 of the last 11 encounters since the Dockers got home in their 2010 elimination final. The Hawks have won the last four meetings by an average margin of 48 points.
2. The Dockers were outscored by 23 points in the final term by Essendon last Saturday and have struggled across the season in fourth quarters, winning only three.
3. Hawthorn ball-magnet Tom Mitchell leads the AFL for disposals (36 per game) and clearances (7.9) and the Brownlow Medal favourite could attract the attention of Freo tagger Bailey Banfield.
4. The Hawks could have an edge in firepower (89 points per game, AFL No.5), compared to the Dockers (72 points, AFL No.15), although Freo is more dangerous at home, averaging 81 points in six wins from nine games.
5. Fremantle has struggled to kick big scores against Hawthorn over a long time, notching 100 points in a game just once since 2007. In that same time the Hawks have reached the century nine times.
6. Dockers defender Luke Ryan doesn't receive much of the limelight but is putting together a fine season and could be pushing for a Doig Medal placing. He has rocketed up the Schick AFL Player Ratings this year, rising 242 spots in his second season.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Rookie Bailey Banfield did a superb job for three quarters tagging Zach Merrett before the Bombers star got off the leash last Saturday. He looks a likely match-up for prolific Hawk Tom Mitchell, who had 46 touches and booted two goals against the Blues.
PREDICTION: Fremantle by seven points
