Match Preview - Fremantle v Hawthorn
Fremantle Dockers v Hawthorn - Round 8
When and Where - Saturday 19 May, 12.10pm (WST) bounce down, Aurora Stadium, Launceston
Perth Broadcast information
TV: Live from 12.00pm on Fox Sports 1 and Channel 7
Radio: Live from 12.00pm on 720 ABC and 882 6PR
For the full AFL national broadcast schedule, click here
Form-line
Freo - W L W W L W W
Hawthorn - W L W L L W W
The medical room
Freo - Adam McPhee was the only casualty from last week's win over Port. That's given hard nut Jay van Berlo a chance to impress.
Hawthorn - Inspirational captain Luke Hodge misses again, but the Hawks will be buoyed by the return of key defender Josh Gibson, who is crucial to their defensive structure.
Who’s hot
Freo - Michael Johnson: Johnson has rediscovered his best form playing across half-back in 2012. He's averaging 22 touches and seven marks per game. Look for 'Johnno' to put in a big effort for Indigenous Round.
Hawthorn - Sam Mitchell: The champion midfielder is having another fine season, averaging 26 disposals per game. He laid eight tackles last week against Melbourne.
X-Factor
Freo - Matthew Pavlich: The skipper booted four goals last week, including his 500th career major. 'Pav' will look to keep the kicking boots on and snare another nice haul.
Hawthorn - Lance Franklin: 'Buddy' kicked 3.7 last week against Melbourne. If he can find the ball within range and fix his goal-kicking radar on Saturday, the Indigenous superstar is capable of anything.
Key match-up
Luke McPharlin v Lance Franklin: McPharlin will be entrusted with the job on Franklin, who is a match-winner. The champion Freo defender is rarely beaten and Ross Lyon is hoping that will be the case come Saturday.
Stats that matter
- Fremantle has conceded just 508 points in the first seven rounds - the least allowed in the AFL.
- The Hawks have won all five matches played in Tasmania between the sides.
When they last met
Round 19, 2011, Patersons Stadium
Fremantle - 0.2 2.3 2.4 6.8 (44)
Hawthorn - 6.3 8.8 11.16 13.17 (95)
GOALS
Fremantle: Pavlich, Crowley, Clarke, Ballantyne, McPhee, Fyfe
Hawthorn: Hale 3, Mitchell 2, Rioli 2, Osborne, Smith, Breust, Ellis, Suckling, Birchall
BEST
Fremantle: Silvagni, Pavlich, Fyfe, Broughton
Hawthorn: Sewell, Mitchell, Lewis, Puopolo, Birchall, Smith, Hale
INJURIES
Fremantle: Jonathan Griffin (hip) replaced in selected side by Clancee Pearce, Matt de Boer (knee), Rhys Palmer (ankle)
Hawthorn: Luke Hodge (knee) replaced in selected side Rick Ladson
SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Matt de Boer replaced by Clancee Pearce in the third quarter.
Hawthorn: Xavier Ellis replaced by Rick Ladson at three-quarter-time.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Farmer, Stevic, Findlay
Official crowd: 30,937 at Patersons Stadium
Hawthorn maintained its grip on third spot with a clinical 51-point win over a disappointing Fremantle at Patersons Stadium on a rainy Saturday night.
In sometimes torrid conditions, the visiting Hawks kicked the first eight goals of the game and held Fremantle goalless in the first and third quarters, eventually winning 13.17 (95) to 6.8 (44).
The Hawks dominated Fremantle at the ground where their finals campaign was brought to an abrupt end last year.
And they notched the impressive win—their fifth in six games—without a single goal from spearhead Lance Franklin, who was beaten convincingly by young Freo defender Alex Silvagni.
It was the first time since round three 2010 that Franklin, who had 19 disposals and kicked 0.3, had been held goalless, ending a run of 33 matches.
Toyota AFL Dream Team
Freo - Greg Broughton: Broughton has come into some good DT form in recent weeks after his slow start to the season. A 108.8 average over the last four matches against Hawthorn augurs well for your Dream Team.
Hawthorn - Sam Mitchell: Mitchell has averaged a massive 115 over his past four games against Freo. But beware of Ryan Crowley, who could be assigned the task of shutting down the Hawks' champion.
Where Freo can win it - Don't let Hawthorn's midfield dictate terms
The Hawks love to play high-possession, uncontested footy. If their classy midfield, which includes the likes of Mitchell, Jordan Lewis, Brad Sewell and Liam Shiels, is allowed to dictate terms, Freo will be chasing red Sherrins all afternoon.
Freo's forwards and midfielders must apply intense pressure on Hawthorn in order to limit the quantity and quality of ball the likes of Franklin and Cyril Rioli see in attack.
