HAWTHORN will be targeting a fourth consecutive grand final berth when it takes on Fremantle in the first preliminary final at Domain Stadium on Friday night.
The Hawks enter the match on the back of a 74-point semi final win against Adelaide Crows, while the Dockers will be fresh from a fortnight’s break after a qualifying final win against Sydney Swans.
Both sides have strong claims for a grand final berth.
The Dockers finished the home-and-away season as minor premiers, and have earned the right to host a home preliminary final, while the Hawks are chasing an historic premiership three-peat.
The form
This will be Hawthorn’s fifth consecutive preliminary final.
The Hawks have won three of those four matches, with all four decided by less than a goal.
After a confidence-boosting semi final win against the Crows, a number of Hawks will enter the match with form behind them.
All Australian Sam Mitchell (33 disposals) continues to find the ball at will, while Luke Breust is fresh from a career-best six-goal haul.
Fremantle’s form over the past month has been indifferent, with the minor premier winning just two of its past five games.
But the latter of those was a qualifying final, giving them a fortnight to prepare.
Michael Walters kicked three goals against the Swans and continually poses a threat up forward, while All Australian David Mundy has averaged 31 disposals in his past two matches.
Recent history
Hawthorn has a strong recent record against Fremantle, with wins in 10 of the clubs’ 12 most recent meetings.
One of those wins was the 2013 Grand Final.
However, the Dockers have won two of their three most recent meetings at Domain Stadium, including the 2010 elimination final.
In Round 15 this year, the Hawks recorded a 72-point win at Aurora Stadium, with Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Josh Gibson all influential in the result.
Potential changes
Hawthorn could potentially field an unchanged side after their semi final win.
Key forward Jack Gunston has been ruled out again with an ankle injury.
Ruckman Jon Ceglar has flown to Perth with the team, alongside David Hale and Ben McEvoy.
Fremantle will make a decision on whether tagger Ryan Crowley plays tonight.
Crowley has not played AFL since last year’s preliminary final, after being banned for 12 months for breaching the anti-doping code.
Veteran defender Luke McPharlin is considered unlikely to return from injury, while young forward Matt Taberner could earn a recall to bolster the Dockers’ scoring power.
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