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An impressive Fremantle outfit has recorded it’s second win in as many matches, defeating Hawthorn by 16 points at Optus Stadium on Monday night.
The positive result moves the Dockers above the Hawks on the table in to 14th position, a stellar performance from their young midfield group the hallmark of a 7.6 (48) to 4.8 (32) triumph.
In a low scoring arm wrestle Fremantle kept their opponents at arms length for the majority of the night, ruckman Sean Darcy kicking the game’s opening goal after four minutes.
Luke Breust responded in kind for Hawthorn, but a Nat Fyfe major gave Fremantle some breathing space as they controlled the early passages, keeping control of the ball and denying the Hawks possession.
The home side had three in the first stanza when Matt Taberner got behind the defence to mark and convert his set shot from 20 metres, Hawks defender Sam Frost gifting him the opportunity by spurning the ball on the wing for running too far.
The second term only featured two goals with both side able to kick one major apiece, Hawthorn losing veteran and vice-captain Isaac Smith to a shoulder injury as they trailed by 12 points at the major break.
Fremantle broke the game open in the third term, kicking the only three goals and completely stymying the Hawks forward line, usual suspects Jack Gunston and Breust quiet.
Taberner’s contested mark and goal in time on gave the Dockers a 29 point lead at the final change, and despite goals to James Sicily (swung forward to provide a target) and Breust in the final term the home side would not be denied, closing things out for a fourth win of the season.
Andrew Brayshaw played one of his finest games in purple as he amassed 33 disposals, Nat Fyfe with 28 and Adam Cerra 26, while Luke Ryan was again outstanding as part of an undersized defence with 21 disposals, 20 of which were kicks.
Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell worked tirelessly for his 32 disposals, 13 more than his closest team mate Jack Scrimshaw (19) on the stats sheet.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir was delighted that his team was able to back up their impressive win over Collingwood in round nine.
“It was really important that we backed up our performance from last week...overall it was a good night.” He said.
Longmuir confirmed that Jesse Hogan had got through a practice match earlier in the day, and was set to be redeployed to defence upon his return to the senior side.
“Given the situation with our backline and the players we’ve got out it’s worth giving it a crack. I still see him as a valuable commodity up forward so it’s probably a short term fix for us.”
The only sour note for Fremantle was another soft tissue injury, this time to speedster Travis Colyer who suffered a hamstring injury late in the opening half, although Longmuir believes it to be only minor.
Fremantle hosts Carlton next Saturday night, while Hawthorn faces the tough task of returning to Optus Stadium to face West Coast on Sunday.
IMAGE: Fox Sports.