712-day curse hits as minor premiers shocked in finals capitulation
Fremantle will now need a miraculous recovery to claim its first AFL premiership after the minor premiers failed to handle the relentless pressure of Hawthorn in a 10.12 (72) - 5.10 (40) loss.
The Dockers scored first through Luke Jackson, but by the end of the first quarter they were left shocked, trailing by 19 points.
Nick Watson celebrates a goal. Getty
Following the first break, Hawks stars Dylan Moore and Jack Gunston both extended their goal tallies to two each, making it a 6.7 (43) - 1.4 (10) by the end of the half. Only two goals were scored in that quarter while the Dockers contributed one behind.
On Fox Footy, David King put the difference down to intensity.
“The finals go up a gear in intensity, and they haven’t been able to handle it Fremantle. They haven’t been able to handle the intensity of Hawthorn,” King told Fox Footy.
Taking to X, Collingwood great Dane Swan was scathing of the Dockers’ inability to handle finals pressure, having been knocked out in week one last season.
“Freo need to go play in the Premier League. So good during the season but once they have to play finals they absolutely shit themselves,” he wrote.
“Can’t believe we all bought the hype. That’s on us.”
There was one concern for the Hawks from the second quarter, with forward Mitch Lewis injuring his shoulder in a contest.
Lewis left the field for treatment, but managed to return after the break.
As expected, the Dockers came out of the sheds fired up with Jye Amiss scoring a goal after one minute.
However, Jack Ginnivan struck back moments in what marked the start of a see-sawing quarter.
Both sides went goal for goal with Hawthorn leading 9.10 (64) - 4.7 (31) at the final break.
The Dockers were also down a man after defender Brandon Walker went down with an ankle injury.
During the final term, Walker was spotted in tears on the bench having missed most of the season with injuries and concussion.
His sadness would’ve continued as Fremantle struggled to challenge the Hawks.
Hawthorn’s Harry Morrison was first to score a goal while Fremantle’s first in the quarter didn’t come until after 19 minutes when Josh Treacy slotted a set shot.
Before Treacy’s kick, the cameras panned to the crowd with one Dockers fan in tears.
“They’re shattered,” Kane Cornes said on Seven.
“‘Flagmantle’ is currently in tatters.”
The Hawks went on to win and seal a preliminary final spot while the Dockers will have to win three matches in a row to claim the flag.
"They've dismantled Fremantle. Their ball movement hasn't worked from minute one tonight," King told Fox Footy.
“I think this puts enormous pressure on the coach. Perfect preparation, fit list, unbeaten at home. It was all set up to go home final, home prelim. Now the heat is on. Next week’s clash is huge for the coach.”
Fremantle’s loss means it has been 712 days since a team, Sydney in 2024, won a final as minor premiers.
