Finals form
Fremantle should be fresher for Friday’s blockbuster, after a week off from bruising finals footy. For many players, it will be just their second game in four weeks after they were rested in round 23. Hawthorn took the long road after dropping its Qualifying Final against West Coast but was dominant in its 74-point win over Adelaide.
Defence v attack
This final pitsFremantle’s ruthless team defence against Hawthorn’s aggressive offence. Fremantle conceded an average of 71 points in the home and away season. Just one team conceded less per game, Hawthorn at 70 points. Fremantle booted an average of 84 points during the regular season, while Hawthorn kicked an average of 111, the highest in the league.
Buy your tickets for Friday's Prelim
The purple army
A crowd of more than 40,000 is expected to fill Domain Stadium. Most of them will be Freo supporters. Hawk Jordan Lewis admitted a parochial West Coast crowd in the first round of the finals put the away team off its game. Fremantle players have praised the Purple Army for its support and urged it to be loud on Friday night.
Injury front
Both teams have key players missing in action. Freo key defender Luke McPharlin looks unlikely to recover from a calf injury, while Hawthorn’s leading goal kicker Jack Gunston has been ruled out. Fremantle ruckman Jon Griffin has made a quick recovery from a hamstring and is also in the mix.
Head-to-head
Hawthorn has won 10 of the past 12 matches against Fremantle. However, Fremantle has won two of the past three matches at Domain Stadium, including an Elimination Final in 2010.
