Having finished with just six wins in the 2009 season, few expected the young Freo side to figure in the finals series, however wins over 2009 premiers Geelong, as well as finalists Essendon, Adelaide, Brisbane and Carlton guided them to sixth spot on the ladder and an all-important home elimination final.
Hawthorn entered the clash having won 11 of its last 15 games for season 2010, after they started the season winning just of one out of the first seven games.
Fremantle’s season could not have been more different.
Having won eight of its first 10 games, Freo sealed a spot in the finals a lot earlier than the 2008 premiers.
A fortnight prior to the elimination final, Hawthorn defeated a Fremantle side missing a number of first-choice players by 116 points.
Although the circumstances heading into the elimination final at Domain Stadium were vastly different, many experts predicted the Hawks would advance to a semi-final.
With five minutes remaining in the first quarter, the scores were level and the game was waiting for its first key moment.
Enter Anthony Morabito.
The 18-year-old received a handball from Michael Johnson defensive side of the wing, then had three running bounces and calmly slotted a goal from 40 metres out, bringing most of the 42,719 strong Domain Stadium crowd to their feet.
Fremantle kicked eight-goals-to-three in the second and third quarters, and led by 17, 23 and 42 points at quarter, half and three-quarter time respectively.
Fremantle’s defence, led by Luke McPharlin, held Hawthorn’s star-studded forward line of Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Cyril Rioli to just six goals between them.
At the other end, captain Matthew Pavlich kicked three goals to lead Freo to just its second ever finals victory.
Eight of Fremantle’s side that day were younger than 21, the likes of Walters, Hill, Suban and De Boer all playing important roles in the win.
Another player who had found a regular place in the Freo side after debuting in round five earlier that season was Nat Fyfe.
Despite being far from the player that sees him as this year’s Brownlow Medal favourite, Fyfe looked at home on the big finals stage, collecting 22 disposals and taking nine marks in just his seventeenth game of footy.
Once again, Fyfe will play a pivotal role in this Friday night’s preliminary final, but his lead up has been far from ideal, as he has continually battled to overcome a leg injury in the second half of the season.
However, Fyfe said on Wednesday he would be right to take on the Hawks, who are looking for a third straight premiership.
“Not too bad, I did a light bit of training, and will do a bit tomorrow (Thursday),” he said.
“It’s a little bit of a nuisance but it’s fine.
“You’re never going to get through a season without a few bumps and bruises along the way.”
In similar circumstances to 2010, the last time Freo and Hawthorn met, it was the Hawks who got the better of the clash, which was again in Launceston, winning by 72 points.
Although Fyfe said he did not expect that to be a factor in the outcome of Friday night’s Grand Final qualifier, he was looking forward to taking on the experienced Hawks.
“We’ve had a good look at the Launceston game,” he said.
“Clearly they are a powerful midfield with a couple of tricks up their sleeve.”
The first preliminary final gets underway at Domain Stadium from 6.20pm.
