Last time they met - Round 19, 2011
Fremantle 0.2 2.3 2.4 6.8 (44)
Hawthorn 6.3 8.8 11.16 13.17 (95)

Best: Fremantle - Silvagni, Pavlich, Fyfe, Broughton.
Hawthorn - Sewell, Mitchell, Lewis, Puopolo, Birchall, Smith, Hale.

Crowd: 30,937 at Patersons Stadium

On a very wet Patersons Stadium, the Hawks set up the win with a blistering opening term in trying conditions. The six-goal to zero opening term had the Dockers behind the eight ball, as the Hawks were able to restrict the Dockers scoring opportunities.

Looking ahead

Under new coach Ross Lyon, the Dockers have a new game plan that is proving to be one of the hardest to counter. The Dockers are now the best defensive side in the competition, conceding just 508 points in the opening seven rounds. That is an average of just 72 points per game from the opposition, or 12 straight goals a game. That means, that if the Dockers are at their defensive best, then that takes the pressure off their forwards to kick a big score in order to win the game.

Lyon is known for his defensive style, and has the reputation of putting defence before attack, as we’ve seen from the master coach during his tenure at St Kilda. At his disposal, however, are some of the best attacking midfielders in the game - players such as Stephen Hill, David Mundy and Tendai Mzungu. More importantly though, with Matthew Pavlich and Hayden Ballantyne dangerous up forward, the Dockers have the talent up forward to score heavily if given the opportunity.

The Dockers average 83 points per game, the lowest of all sides in the top eight, but their defensive efforts have allowed them to win five matches so far in season 2012. Conversely, the Hawks average 103 points per match, while conceding 84 points.

The defensive capability of the Dockers has improved under Lyon, with the acquisition of former Saint, Zac Dawson. That ability will need to be at its best on Saturday, however, with the Hawks' boasting one of the best forward pairs in the compeition. Dawson’s inclusion to the Dockers line up has meant that the load placed upon Luke McPharlin has decreased, and given Fremantle another option for the opposition’s best forward. That ability will be tested on Saturday afternoon, with Hawthorn duo Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead in good form.

Franklin, although inaccurate so far this season, has managed 50 shots on goal - a domination in every sense of the word. His accuracy, however, at just 38 per cent (booting 19 goals 31) is a concern for both the Hawks and their opposition. Franklin’s ability to find the football is not in question, averaging 19 disposals per game, it is the threat of his ability to turn his kicking for goal around that is dangerous for the opposing side.

The Dockers’ biggest strength is undoubtedly Aaron Sandilands in the ruck. The sheer size of the Fremantle big man makes it near impossible for opposing ruckmen to get their hands on the football at the stoppages, but it is the ability of the Dockers’ midfield to shark those taps that is important. They average 39 clearances per match, just two behind league-leaders Adelaide on 41.

The Hawks took a step forward at the clearances on Friday night, and their battle against Melbourne’s Mark Jamar, Brent Moloney and Nathan Jones will hold them in good stead on Saturday afternoon. The Hawks dominated the clearances on Friday night, 40-22, but it was the work of Jarryd Roughead (six clearances), Liam Shiels (six), Sam Mitchell (five) and Brad Sewell (four) that was impressive.

The key to the Hawks’ ability to put the Dockers’ defensive unit under pressure will be the competitiveness of Roughead and David Hale at the ruck contests. Broc McCauley too, could come into consideration at the selection table given Sandilands’ size and dominance. Luckily for the Hawks, Roughead and Hale showed they’re capable of overcoming adversity and their desire to succeed was on show on Friday night, a good time to come into form ahead of a match-up with the Dockers’ giant.


Shaun Burgoyne: "He's (Sandliands) a very good player for them, he gets them going, he wins a lot of stoppages with his hit outs and he's definitely a player we have to negate. If Hale and Roughie can negate him in the ruck and our mids can get in there first then that'll go a long way towards us winning the game."


Arin Yariz on Facebook: Like any match, the midfield is crucial in which team dominates. I'd like to see Broc McCauley recalled, not only allowing Buddy and Roughy more time forward, but also having Hale play more from the goal square will test Freo's backline and have them stretching.