AFL finals AS IT HAPPENED: Injured Docker in tears as Hawks cause stunning upset

Thanks for tuning into our coverage tonight, we’ll be back tomorrow from the MCG for Geelong versus Carlton.

Enjoy this one, Hawthorn fans!

Hawthorn’s shock upset over Fremantle means the MCG will not be needed for an AFL game next week.

Which is a huge win for the ground staff, who won’t have to scramble following next Friday morning’s NFL game on the MCG.

They were expecting to have to flip the field from NFL to AFL in less than 24 hours for a Hawthorn semi final, but now that’s not required.

Fremantle will host one semi final in Perth, while the other will either be in Sydney or Brisbane.

Sigh of relief for everyone involved with the MCG.

Fremantle will get the chance to salvage their season next week in Perth, hosting the winner of Friday night’s elimination final.

They’ll either face Geelong or Carlton to keep their season alive.

If they can win that, they’re heading either to Sydney or Brisbane for a prelim. Both tasks would be daunting.

For Hawthorn, they can put their feet up and rest for a week before hosting a preliminary final at the MCG,

What an enormous win for the Hawks. Here’s my top five players on Thursday night in order.

1. James Sicily (Hawthorn), 2. James Battle (Hawthorn), 3. Nick Watson (Hawthorn), 4. Jordan Clark (Fremantle), 5. Massimo D’Ambrosio (Hawthorn)

Hawthorn’s coaches celebrate as they take down Fremantle in Perth and book their spot in a home preliminary final.

Hawthorn 72 defeat Fremantle 40. What an enormous upset.

“This was a coaching masterclass. This flips the script of the finals series,” David King tells Fox Footy after the final siren.

David King believes Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is well and truly back on the hot seat if the Dockers lose a semi final next week and go out in straight sets.

They will host either Geelong or Carlton at Optus Stadium.

“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,” King told Fox Footy.

All-Australian Freo forward Josh Treacy has had a rough night. He hasn’t taken a mark and hasn’t kicked a goal. It’s a stunningly poor performance from arguably the game’s best key forward.

“He’s been smashed tonight. Josh Battle has destroyed him,” David King told Fox Footy.

“I haven’t seen Treacy beaten like this.”

The Hawks key defender has had an outstanding game, but Treacy has been one of many Dockers well below their best.

Freo defender Brandon Walker has been ruled out for the game with the ankle injury suffered in the third quarter and he is emotional on the bench.

He missed almost the entire season with concussions and other injuries. This was just his second game of the season, it was a huge gamble to even play him tonight.

Walker was in tears on the bench. His night is over. And Fremantle’s night is just about over as well.

Hawthorn kicks the first of the final term through some Nick Watson magic and Harry Morrison’s finishing. They lead 70-32. Game over.

Wow. Watson has shredded Freo tonight on the big stage.