Hawks hand Dockers a Launceston belting

The match was touted pre-game as a possible grand final preview but in a physical and rugged affair, it was one-way traffic as Hawthorn dominated from the outset with their pressure and work around the contests and a strong defence that strangled the Dockers forward entries and restricted them to one goal until half-time and just six for the game.

The Hawks started  better kicking four goals to one in the opening quarter against the breeze to lead by 19 points at quarter-time.

They extended their lead to 38 points at half-time with three goals in the second quarter while holding Freo goalless and continued their domination in the second half with six goals to two in the third against the breeze, to blow the margin out to 68 points at three quarter-time before running out impressive winners 17.13 (115) to 6.7 (43).

The game saw both teams push numbers back defensively clogging up the opposition’s respective inside 50 but the difference was the Hawks still found avenues to goal whereas the Dockers’ ineffective forward line struggled to kick goals throughout finishing with just six single goalkickers.

It was a disappointing performance all-up from  Fremantle, which was outclassed and outplayed by the Hawks in all areas of the game.

Hawthorn’s pressure on the Dockers ball carriers was outstanding as they racked up 84 tackles to 56 for the match in a performance which pleased coach Alastair Clarkson.

The Hawks dominance was also shown in the match statistics – 425 possessions to Fremantle’s 308, uncontested possessions 306-184, the inside 50s tally 54-38, and the clearances 49-30.

‘‘Given the opponent – they’ve been the best side in the competition and their ladder position reflects that at this point in time so to come down here and play as well as we did we are really pleased with that,’’ Clarkson said after the match.

Luke Breust stepped up in the absence of Jarryd Roughead and kicked four goals for the Hawks with skipper Luke Hodge grabbing three with two each to 100-gamer Paul Puopolo and ruckman Ben McEvoy who played well on his return to the side.

The Hawks had plenty of ball winners with a winning backline and midfield and none better than Sam Mitchell who finished with a game-high 39 disposals, with Grant Birchall and Hodge having 31 each, Josh Gibson, Jordan Lewis and Liam Shiels 27 each.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon conceded his team had been outplayed by the Hawks.

‘‘They were too good for us – we expected to come down here and play better but they were too strong around the ball,’’ he said.

‘‘We sit here disappointed and with our tails between our legs – you can’t defend the indefensible or dispute what occurred and we deal with reality and try and learn from it and we need to get better quickly.’’

Michael Barlow, David Mundy and Nat Fyfe were among the Dockers best possession winners but the Hawks’ pressure  limited their influence.