Fremantle ran out 12.16 (88) to 11.7 (73) winners over Hawthorn at Optus Stadium on Thursday night, the Dockers' eighth straight win, the third in a row across six-day turnarounds, and a result that puts the Justin Longmuir era in genuine premiership conversation. Hawthorn led at the final change with Jack Gunston having kicked five and the visiting side carrying the contest after a stop-start opening half. Then Freo kicked the final five goals of the night and ended the Hawks' contest in front of 54,140 fans.
Five-Goal Final Term Decides It
The fourth quarter scoreline tells the structural story. Fremantle had 21 inside 50 entries to Hawthorn's four. The Dockers' midfield engine of Caleb Serong, Andy Brayshaw and Sean Darcy refused to cede the contest at stoppages, and Patrick Voss's late goal off a Sean Darcy ruck-tap to Cooper Reid's link kick was the play that flipped the lead. Reid added another, Dudley converted a 50-metre penalty, Treacy nailed his second, and Voss capped the night with the sealer. By the final siren the contested-possession differential was 49-31 the Dockers' way and the inside-50 differential 64-32.
Goals on the night came from Frederick three, Amiss three, Treacy two, Young, Voss, Reid and Dudley. Hawthorn's Gunston six was the standout performance for the visitors, the veteran 30-year-old kicking the kind of carrying-the-team six-bag that says he is in genuine Coleman conversation. Watson three, Lewis and Butler rounded out the Hawks' goal-kickers.
Dockers Stretch the Lead at Top of the Ladder
Fremantle move to 8-1 with their eighth consecutive win and effectively stretch the lead at the top of the AFL ladder. Hawthorn drop to 6-2-1 with the draw against Collingwood and now Thursday's loss, and slip to third behind Sydney (7-1) and the Dockers. The Hawks have a six-day turnaround themselves to face the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon. Sam Mitchell will need a different look without losing the structural patience that has defined his coaching tenure.
For Fremantle, the eighth straight win is the longest streak under Longmuir as senior coach, surpassing the seven straight Dockers won in late 2022. The defensive structure, anchored by Brennan Cox and Alex Pearce, gave up just 73 points after conceding only 65 per game across the streak. Karl Worner kept Gunston quiet through the third quarter before the Hawk veteran broke loose late.
Where the Markets Land
Fremantle's premiership market shortened from $5.50 to $4 across Friday morning at dabble and Picklebet, with Sydney drifting from $5 to $5.50 and Hawthorn extending from $4 to $5. The Dockers face Adelaide on the road in Round 10 then host the Bombers at Optus before the bye, with the bookmakers framing the next four weeks at -10.5, -22.5, -8.5 and -16.5 the home side respectively. Coleman Medal: Treacy stays at $4.50 favourite ahead of Gunston who has firmed from $26 to $11 across the night, and Jeremy Cameron at $5. Caleb Serong's Brownlow Medal market sits at $4.50 favourite at Ladbrokes after his 32-disposal, eight-clearance Thursday performance.
Round 9 continues Friday at the Gabba with Brisbane hosting Carlton and Saturday's marquee at the MCG with Geelong hosting Collingwood for Pendlebury's record-equalling fixture. Full match details and the post-match interviews are at AFL.com.au.