The Dockers won 18.12 (120) to 15.4 (94).
While the Dockers were without key defenders Luke McParlin and Robert Haddrill and experienced midfielder Troy Cook, the Hawks were missing Peter Everitt, Jonathan Hay, Joel Smith, Nick Holland, Mark Graham and Kris Barlow, along with Steven Greene and Lance Picioane.
Angelo Lekkas, Richard Vandenberg and John Barker were also rested in the first half, with Sam Mitchell and Simon Beaumont excused from the second half.
After Adrian Cox kicked the opening goal of the match for Hawthorn, Fremantle settled best early, booting the next three through Clive Waterhouse, Matthew Pavlich and Troy Simmonds.
Opposed to Crawford early, Fremantle skipper Peter Bell was his typically tireless self, while the Dockers were also well-served by defender Roger Hayden, ruckman Aaron Sandilands and midfielder Des Headland.
Fremantle’s 15-point lead at quarter-time was quickly evaporated, as the Hawks put on their best display for the day in the second term, ably led by Shane Crawford, Sam Mitchell and Carlton recruit Simon Beaumont.
After trailing by three points at half-time, the Dockers regained the ascendancy thanks to dominant displays up forward by Paul Medhurst and Justin Longmuir, who booted five of their side’s six goals for the third quarter.
There was little to be gleaned from the match after the last break, but Hawk fans could at least take some encouragement from a couple of strong grabs taken by Barker across half-forward.
Following recent years plagued by osteitis pubis and various soft tissue injuries, Hawthorn is taking a very guarded approach with one of its key players.
The match’s other notable feature was the major feeling throughout the match between the Docker key forwards, notably Justin Longmuir and Troy Simmonds, and former Hawk and Docker, now Hawk again, Trent Croad.
Fremantle coach Chris Connolly, who is unsure about whether he will take a full strength team into next Saturday’s practice match against the Kangaroos at Mandurah, was pleased with the way his team finished the game.
“I was a bit disappointed with the intensity of the full team early. But the best thing about today was from half-time on we really started to control the game in a big way. These guys really toughened up and fought the game out, which was great.”
Hawthorn 2.2, 9.2, 10.3, 15.4 (94)
Fremantle 4.5, 8.5, 14.8, 18.12 (120)
GOALS: Hawthorn: Crawford 3, Williams, Cox 2, Mitchell, Hodge, Dixon, Beaumont, Clarke, Barker, Boyle, Thompson 1.
Fremantle: Simmonds, J.Longmuir, Medhurst 3, Schammer, Headland, T.Longmuir, Waterhouse, Pavlich, Bell, Farmer, Siegert, Browne 1.
BEST: Hawthorn: Crawford, Lonie, McCabe, Mitchell, Beaumont, Clarke.
Fremantle: Bell, Hayden, Medhurst, Sandilands, Simmonds, Headland, Hasleby.
INJURIES: Hawthorn: None.
Fremantle: None.
REPORTS: None.
UMPIRES: Hendrie, Margetts, Fraser
CROWD: 2000 approx at Optus Oval.
Hawthorn 2.2, 9.2, 10.3, 15.4 (94)
Fremantle 4.5, 8.5, 14.8, 18.12 (120)
GOALS: Hawthorn: Crawford 3, Williams, Cox 2, Mitchell, Hodge, Dixon, Beaumont, Clarke, Barker, Boyle, Thompson 1.
Fremantle: Simmonds, J.Longmuir, Medhurst 3, Schammer, Headland, T.Longmuir, Waterhouse, Pavlich, Bell, Farmer, Siegert, Browne 1.
BEST: Hawthorn: Crawford, Lonie, McCabe, Mitchell, Beaumont, Clarke.
Fremantle: Bell, Hayden, Medhurst, Sandilands, Simmonds, Headland, Hasleby.
INJURIES: Hawthorn: None.
Fremantle: None.
REPORTS: None.
UMPIRES: Hendrie, Margetts, Fraser
CROWD: 2000 approx at Optus Oval.
