After a surprising loss to the Bombers last week the injury plagued Hawks have hit back downing Fremantle by 22 points at Subiaco Oval on Friday night.
The reigning premiers came into the game without star Luke Hodge who had been carrying an adductor injury. The backman may miss up to a month as the Hawks struggle with a number of injuries, particularly in their backline.
It was an important game for the Hawks, who at 3 wins and 4 losses, were in danger of losing touch with the top eight and needed to lift, with the Dockers coming off three straight wins.
It was an arm wrestle in the first quarter with the Hawks kicking the first two goals of the game, through Chance Bateman and Stuart Dew, before the Dockers hit back with two of their own from Scott Thornton and Luke McPharlin. The Hawks then hit the front late in the first term when Buddy Franklin marked on a lead and goaled from 50m out. This gave them a six point quarter time lead.
The tussle continued early in the second quarter before Ryan Murphy kicked the first goal of the second term 13 minutes in. The Hawks then dominated the rest of the term, booting five unanswered goals in 15 minutes, including two from Franklin, to lead by 30 points at the main break.
Signs looked ominous for the Dockers early in the third term when Mark Williams kicked his second goal, but the home side then hit back when Michael Johnson marked a shot at goal from Paul Hasleby. The Dockers failed to make the most of their opportunities in the third quarter, with Suban, Johnson and McPharlin missing shots on goal. Suban then managed to find McPharlin with a long kick and he booted his second for the game. Paul Duffield goaled late in the quarter and the Dockers were back in touch trailing by 22 points.
When Matthew Pavlich, who had found plenty of the footy, gathered and goaled early in the final term the Dockers were coming, but they then squandered more chances and kicked themselves out of the game. A goal to Jarryd Roughead made it tough for the Dockers and then a booming fourth goal from Buddy Franklin sealed the win for the Hawks.
Sam Mitchell had an amazing 29 kicks out of his 34 disposals, while Matthew Pavlich looked in good form with 30 touches. Aaron Sandilands dominated in the ruck with a huge 41 hitouts.
Fremantle – 2.2, 3.4, 7.8, 9.11 (65)
Hawthorn – 3.2, 8.4, 11.6, 13.9 (87)
GOALS
Fremantle: McPharlin 2, Murphy 2, Thornton, Johnson, Duffield, Pavlich, Sandilands
Hawthorn: Franklin 4, Williams 2, Rioli 2, Bateman, Dew, Moss, Osborne, Roughead
BEST
Fremantle: Pavlich, Duffield, Tarrant, Johnson, Broughton, Solomon
Hawthorn: Bateman, Mitchell, Sewell, Lewis, Franklin, McGlynn
INJURIES
Fremantle: Nil
Hawthorn: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, McLaren, Hendrie
Official crowd: 39,135 at Subiaco Oval
