The 2010 elimination final between the Fremantle Dockers and Hawthorn at Domain Stadium pitted two clubs on opposite ends of the big-game experience scales.

Leading in to the match, Freo’s only finals win had come in 2006 when they knocked off Melbourne by 28-points in the second semi final in Perth.

In contrast, Hawthorn’s most recent finals success was the 26-point grand final victory over Geelong in 2008.

The sides’ previous meeting in round 21 saw Freo – who were already guaranteed a finals spot – rest seven of their best 22.

Hawthorn, needing a win to keep their finals chances alive, fielded a full-strength line-up and walked away 116-point winners.

Michael Walters – playing his fifth game for Freo – said the loss was in the back of their minds when they played the Hawks again in the final.

“We found ourselves a few weeks later playing them (Hawthorn) in that final and (the loss) made us a bit nervous,” Walters said.

“It was a massive game playing against (the likes of) Luke Hodge and Brent Guerra.”

Welcoming its rested senior players back for the elimination final, Freo gave the Hawks a rude awakening – running away to a 30-point win in front of a home crowd of 42,719.

Freo dominated early, booting four goals to one – including a brilliant running goal to first year player Anthony Morabito – on their way to a 17-point quarter time lead.

Walters, playing his first final, said the teamwork involved in Morabito’s goal spoke volumes about the group’s side-first mentality.

“(With) Anthony Morabito running down the wing I remember big Aaron Sandilands gave him a block,” Walters said.

“It was a defining moment in that game.”

Fremantle continued to pile on the pressure in the second quarter, kicking two goals – through Walters and Matthew Pavlich – and forcing the Hawks to a wayward 1.11 (17) at halftime.

The Hawks managed to steady the ship early in the second half as Jarryd Roughead kicked two majors and Lance Franklin kicked one, but Freo booted six of their own to go into the final break with a match-high 42-point lead.

The Hawks outscored Fremantle in the final quarter by four goals to two, but nothing was going to deny Freo their second finals win.

Fremantle ran out victors 14.10 (94) to 8.16 (64) and advanced to a semi-final at the MCG the following Friday against 2009 premiers Geelong.

Walters, who was 19-years-old at the time, finished the match with 11 disposals, four tackles and one goal and said the win was a turning point in the club’s development.

“That win (against Hawthorn) galvanised us and made us think that we were good enough (to play finals),” Walters said.

“(The win) gave us the motivation … to keep trying to improve.”

Since then, Freo have played another 10 finals – including the 2013 grand final – for four more wins.

With Freo returning to Hawthorn’s Tasmanian home on Saturday, Walters said the trip to Aurora Stadium is one of the hardest in the game.

“It’s a big trip and Hawthorn have a lot of quality players who can play some good footy down there,” Walters said. 

This weekend’s trip to Launceston will be Freo’s 11^th, having lined up against the Hawks eight times and St Kilda twice.

Freo will be looking to make it win number one against the Hawks at the venue.