Fremantle has overcome a significant scare from Hawthorn at Optus Stadium to earn a hard-working 13-point win on Saturday afternoon.
The result was far from guaranteed for much of the afternoon, with Sam Mitchell’s side leading for 39 minutes and 50 seconds of the clash.
However, the Dockers found a way to get over the line and move into the top four.
Saturday’s contest marked the return of Nat Fyfe, the Freo skipper defying pre-game expectations to largely play on the footy for much of the contest.
He still pushed forward to kick 1.2 and looked shaky for much of the contest, however the 30-year-old had several trademark moments to have the Fremantle faithful on their feet in his 21 possessions.
The Dockers have built their brand off defensive excellency, rating No.2 in the competition for least points conceded. Justin Longmuir’s defensive six were fantastic once again and kept the Hawks to just 38.9 per cent efficiency inside their forward 50, over 11 per cent worse than their season average.
However, it was on transition on Saturday where Fremantle almost lost the contest.
They conceded a whopping 61 inside 50s, some 15 above Hawthorn’s season average as Sam Mitchell once again showed his coaching prowess in his first season at the helm.
But it ultimately mattered not in terms of the four points as the Hawks squandered good looks late in the final term to allow the Dockers to record back-to-back home wins.
While the roars echoed around Optus Stadium from the purple army after the clash, concerns will quickly turn to Blake Acres after the former Saint suffered a hamstring injury in the final term.
He was captured on the broadcast looking distraught on the bench, a reaction that could suggest a serious injury.
"That's the emotion of footy" 😢
— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) June 11, 2022
Blake Acres is consoled on the bench after suffering an apparent hamstring injury.
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The Hawks also lost Sam Frost to a knee injury late in the game.
Longmuir’s side now overtakes Brisbane to move into second spot on the AFL ladder, however the Lions can reclaim their place with a win over St Kilda on Saturday night.
Both sides now have the bye in Round 14.
FULL SCORE
Fremantle: 4.3, 6.6, 12.9, 14.11.(95)
Hawthorn: 5.0, 8.4, 10.7, 12.10. (82)
GOALS
Fremantle: Schultz 2, Banfield 2, Walters 2, Colyer 2, Brayshaw, Acres, Aish, Lobb, Walker, Fyfe
Hawthorn: Moore 2, Breust 2, Wingard 2, O'Meara, Morrison, Howe, Shiels, Reeves, Koschitzke
BEST
Fremantle: Brayshaw, Young, Acres, Ryan, Serong
Hawthorn: O'Meara, Sicily, Moore, Morrison, Scrimshaw
INJURIES
Fremantle: Acres (Hamstring), Darcy (Ankle)
Hawthorn: Frost (Knee)