Hawks vow to bounce back from Fremantle's sucker punch
The Dockers kicked four goals to zip in the final quarter at a heaving Optus Stadium on Saturday night to turn a 13-point deficit into a fighting 12.5 (77) to 9.10 (64) win.
Hawthorn would have been a win clear in fourth spot if they had beaten Fremantle.
Instead, they are now sixth on the log-jammed ladder with an 11-6 record - the same as the Dockers.
Hawthorn host Port Adelaide in Tasmania next Saturday, before rounding out their home-and-away campaign with games against Carlton, Adelaide, Collingwood, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Mitchell was gutted to see his team lose to Fremantle, but he doesn't see it as the be-all-and-end-all.
"We look at the season holistically, and we know there's nine teams that have got a slight gap on the on the rest, and there's only eight that make the finals," Mitchell said.
"And there's only four that get what everyone really wants, which is the top-four spot.
"We know we're going to have to play really consistent, high level footy for the rest of the season if we want to be where we want to get to.
"So if we had of won tonight, does that guarantee anything? No. Does losing tonight guarantee anything? No.
"So it's a bit of a punch to the stomach, if you like, but we've still got plenty of fight in us for the rest of this season.
'We're sixth on the ladder, so the ball's in our court, and we'll lick our wounds ... and get back at it."
Mitchell has some food for thought on the selection front after forward Mitch Lewis kicked five goals in the VFL on Saturday.
Lewis, who tore his ACL late last year, has kicked 10 goals in his three VFL games since returning from injury.
Calsher Dear, who missed the first half of the season due to stress fractures in his back, kicked two goals against Fremantle on Saturday night in just his second AFL match of the year.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has described their 13-point loss to Fremantle as like a "punch to the stomach", but declared his team is still up for the fight in the battle for a top-four berth.
The Dockers kicked four goals to zip in the final quarter at a heaving Optus Stadium on Saturday night to turn a 13-point deficit into a fighting 12.5 (77) to 9.10 (64) win.
Hawthorn would have been a win clear in fourth spot if they had beaten Fremantle.
Instead, they are now sixth on the log-jammed ladder with an 11-6 record - the same as the Dockers.
Hawthorn host Port Adelaide in Tasmania next Saturday, before rounding out their home-and-away campaign with games against Carlton, Adelaide, Collingwood, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Mitchell was gutted to see his team lose to Fremantle, but he doesn't see it as the be-all-and-end-all.
"We look at the season holistically, and we know there's nine teams that have got a slight gap on the on the rest, and there's only eight that make the finals," Mitchell said.
"And there's only four that get what everyone really wants, which is the top-four spot.
"We know we're going to have to play really consistent, high level footy for the rest of the season if we want to be where we want to get to.
"So if we had of won tonight, does that guarantee anything? No. Does losing tonight guarantee anything? No.
"So it's a bit of a punch to the stomach, if you like, but we've still got plenty of fight in us for the rest of this season.
'We're sixth on the ladder, so the ball's in our court, and we'll lick our wounds ... and get back at it."
Mitchell has some food for thought on the selection front after forward Mitch Lewis kicked five goals in the VFL on Saturday.
Lewis, who tore his ACL late last year, has kicked 10 goals in his three VFL games since returning from injury.
Calsher Dear, who missed the first half of the season due to stress fractures in his back, kicked two goals against Fremantle on Saturday night in just his second AFL match of the year.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has described their 13-point loss to Fremantle as like a "punch to the stomach", but declared his team is still up for the fight in the battle for a top-four berth.
The Dockers kicked four goals to zip in the final quarter at a heaving Optus Stadium on Saturday night to turn a 13-point deficit into a fighting 12.5 (77) to 9.10 (64) win.
Hawthorn would have been a win clear in fourth spot if they had beaten Fremantle.
Instead, they are now sixth on the log-jammed ladder with an 11-6 record - the same as the Dockers.
Hawthorn host Port Adelaide in Tasmania next Saturday, before rounding out their home-and-away campaign with games against Carlton, Adelaide, Collingwood, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Mitchell was gutted to see his team lose to Fremantle, but he doesn't see it as the be-all-and-end-all.
"We look at the season holistically, and we know there's nine teams that have got a slight gap on the on the rest, and there's only eight that make the finals," Mitchell said.
"And there's only four that get what everyone really wants, which is the top-four spot.
"We know we're going to have to play really consistent, high level footy for the rest of the season if we want to be where we want to get to.
"So if we had of won tonight, does that guarantee anything? No. Does losing tonight guarantee anything? No.
"So it's a bit of a punch to the stomach, if you like, but we've still got plenty of fight in us for the rest of this season.
'We're sixth on the ladder, so the ball's in our court, and we'll lick our wounds ... and get back at it."
Mitchell has some food for thought on the selection front after forward Mitch Lewis kicked five goals in the VFL on Saturday.
Lewis, who tore his ACL late last year, has kicked 10 goals in his three VFL games since returning from injury.
Calsher Dear, who missed the first half of the season due to stress fractures in his back, kicked two goals against Fremantle on Saturday night in just his second AFL match of the year.
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West Australian
5 hours ago
- West Australian
Motormouth Mitch: Fremantle make emphatic statement on coach Justin Longmuir in win over Hawthorn
Fremantle made an emphatic statement to the football world in their Saturday night win over Hawthorn. The West Australian's Mitchell Woodcock takes a no-holds-barred look at the week in footy. Freo's Longmuir Statement If you believe the cliché that actions speak louder than words, then Fremantle players just screamed in everyone's face that they have belief in Justin Longmuir. Rightly or wrongly, the heat was on the Dockers coach after their defeat to Sydney last weekend which had his side slip out of the eight. North Melbourne great and AFL expert David King was the man who was strong in his conviction that given the talented list at Longmuir's disposal it was likely going to be finals or bust for the former Fremantle forward in 2025. While some experts and fans may not believe Longmuir is the man to finally take the Dockers to the promise land, there were 23 players on Saturday night who showed their cards. The win against Hawthorn is easily their best of the season and likely one of the best in Longmuir's near six-season reign as coach. It wasn't a massive victory in terms of margin, but the intent and passion with which the Dockers' played signalled they were there to not only get the four premiership points but make a statement — they believe Longmuir is their man. In front of nearly 50,000 fans at Optus Stadium the Dockers laid an incredible 103 tackles — more than 40 more than their season average. It was the intent behind these tackles that caught the eye. Every player committed to the cause, evidenced by the fact only tall forward Jye Amiss didn't lay a tackle for the home side. Gang tackles, run downs and repeated efforts typified the performance for Fremantle. Even when things weren't going their way at the final break, the Dockers didn't panic — sticking to the process that had them on top in the fourth quarter that had them on top. And when they had the ball in hand they attacked with ferocity and without fear. The sight of a bleeding Andy Brayshaw — who laid a team-high 14 tackles — doing his post-game interview is as powerful an image as they come for the Dockers faithful. Fremantle went to war on Saturday night intent on telling the world they had Longmuir's back, and the football world now knows unequivocally where they stand. This could well be a win that changes the course of this football club's future. Dockers Daicos Decision Fremantle will have little time to bask in their impressive win over the Hawks, because a Collingwood side with a bruised ego is awaiting them at the MCG. The Magpies' defeat to the Gold Coast on Friday night might be the worst thing to happen for the Dockers. Collingwood are to proud a team not to be determined to rebound strongly after their first half performance against the Suns or their inability to run them down. Add in the fact they have a nine-day break and will play at the MCG — where they've won 12 of their past 13 games — and it's going to be an uphill battle even for a confidence-filled Fremantle. Craig McRae's side has many weapons but the Daicos brothers in Nick and Josh are his most potent. And the problem for Fremantle is they must decide which one to tag because you could argue right now that Josh is in better form than his younger brother Nick — who is the favourite for the Brownlow Medal. McRae pulled the trigger and injected half-back Josh into the middle in the final quarter against the Suns and he nearly won the game for the Magpies. The 26-year-old's quarter was unbelievable. in the final term alone Daicos collected 16 disposals, 10 contested, five tackles, four clearances, 307m gained and kicked two goals. Most players would be happy with those numbers for an enitre game. Earlier this year, Corey Wagner did a brilliant job on Nick Daicos, holding him to a season-low 18 disposals. But the Dockers still lost. No one would blame Longmuir for once again looking to tag Nick, but if McRae decides to throw Josh into the first centre bounce, he may need to change his tactics. It looms as a decision that could be match-defining and in a season as tight as this, it could be the difference between the Dockers playing in September or missing finals. Beating Collingwood at the MCG would put Fremantle in not only a prime position to make finals, but a genuine top four threat. But the Dockers must find a way to stop both Daicos brothers from tearing them apart or they're going to be just another scalp for the powerhouse side at the home of football. Hidden Gems Eagle Must Uncover A lot of attention around West Coast's list build will understandably fall on the players they take with the top draft picks, players they trade in or free agents they land over the next few years. Premiership lists are not only made off these big decisions but also the hidden gems list bosses and recruiters can find with either late draft picks or as rookies. There are two players in the WAFL right now that the Eagles should be doing a lot of work. The first is West Perth big-bodied midfielder Kane Bevan . Having only just turned 21, Bevan has emerged this year as a promising talent and showed West Coast exactly what he is made of against their WAFL side on Saturday night. Against the likes of Tim Kelly and Jack Petruccelle, Bevan stood out with an incredible game that will have likely impressed recruiters across the country. The Falcons youngster kicked three goals from 33 disposals, six tackles and five clearances to be the best on ground. It is the type of performance that should have the Eagles considering Bevan for a spot on their list going forward. Bevan has power out of the contest and runs both ways. Put the young man in an AFL program and these attributes are only to get stronger while his weaknesses can be ironed out. West Coast need more big bodies around the contest and rather than looking to recycle former AFL players, players like Bevan should be prioritised. He is still young enough to have a decade-long career if the right development is put around him. Another player the Eagles should be keeping close tabs on is Claremont defender Jasper Peace. If you speak to those around the Tigers, they will confidently tell you the 19-year-old backman has the attributes to be an AFL player. Peace is strong one-on-one but can also play off his man and take intercept marks, having proved himself on some of the best WAFL forwards like Trey Ruscoe. And while he is already 89kg and 192cm, there is still some size for the young man which would help him become an AFL defender. The Eagles are needing depth down back after the sudden retirement of Jeremy McGovern and the loss of Tom Barrass to Hawthorn. Peace is the kind of player who could follow in the path of a McGovern if given the right development. And with the five-time All-Australian still around the club, there is no reason McGovern could pass on his expansive knowledge to Peace to help the fellow Claremont product out.
The Advertiser
13 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Battered Bomber looks to Will-power for inspiration
Norm Smith Medallist Will Ashcroft will be Nic Martin's inspiration as the Essendon midfielder deals with his season-ending knee surgery. The Bombers' injury crisis claimed Martin and Will Setterfield in Saturday night's horror show against Richmond, one of the worst AFL games in memory. Setterfield's foot was stood on and he is also out for the rest of the year with a Lisfranc injury. Martin showed impressive perspective on Sunday morning, ahead of Essendon confirming the bad news for himself and his teammate. "A bit flat ... wrap my head around it and just move on," Martin told the Seven Network. "In times of adversity you build a bit of resilience. As tough as it is, I'm really optimistic about what we can build post-this and the adversity the boys face will see them for the long term. "I've just got Will Ashcroft in my head a bit, how quickly he returned and found form straight away. "All you can do is take one day at a time and just get better." Ashcroft, like Martin, ruptured an ACL, which ended his 2023 season. The Brisbane young gun returned to win the Norm Smith Medal as best afield in last year's grand final triumph. Martin's teammates made a point of supporting him in the wake of his injury. "So humbling - unfortunately we've had a bit of practice with it this year," Martin said. "I felt so loved and cared for, really appreciated it." Martin is Essendon's latest long-term injury, and their 2026 season is threatening to be derailed before this one even finishes. He finished second in Essendon's best-and-fairest last year behind captain Zach Merrett, and was enjoying another strong season. He is the fourth Bomber to injure an ACL this season, joining Nick Bryan, Lewis Hayes and Tom Edwards. Martin and Setterfield make it 10 first-choice Essendon player currently sidelined, alongside Bryan, Sam Draper, Darcy Parish, Jye Caldwell, Kyle Langford, Ben McKay, Harry Jones and Zach Reid. "It's not just the players that aren't there, it's the players that come in," coach Brad Scott said. "They've never played together, and it ends up looking ... a complete lack of synergy and connection. "Rookie players making rookie errors, which is understandable. "Nic Martin's (injury) ... that just sends a shiver down everyone's spine at quarter-time when that word sort of ripples out. "These 12 months, injuries that are mounting up, it's going to be a real challenge to keep everyone's morale up, but that's the job of our leaders. "I think teams can adapt and cover one or two, but when you're talking about half of the team, you've just got to accept that the synergy's not going to be there." After slumping to a sixth straight loss, Essendon (6-10) have just five days to prepare to host rampaging GWS at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night. Despite missing a host of key players, Scott opted to drop forwards Archie Perkins and Jade Gresham to face the Tigers. Perkins collected 21 possessions in Essendon's VFL loss against Box Hill on Saturday, while Gresham didn't play. Norm Smith Medallist Will Ashcroft will be Nic Martin's inspiration as the Essendon midfielder deals with his season-ending knee surgery. The Bombers' injury crisis claimed Martin and Will Setterfield in Saturday night's horror show against Richmond, one of the worst AFL games in memory. Setterfield's foot was stood on and he is also out for the rest of the year with a Lisfranc injury. Martin showed impressive perspective on Sunday morning, ahead of Essendon confirming the bad news for himself and his teammate. "A bit flat ... wrap my head around it and just move on," Martin told the Seven Network. "In times of adversity you build a bit of resilience. As tough as it is, I'm really optimistic about what we can build post-this and the adversity the boys face will see them for the long term. "I've just got Will Ashcroft in my head a bit, how quickly he returned and found form straight away. "All you can do is take one day at a time and just get better." Ashcroft, like Martin, ruptured an ACL, which ended his 2023 season. The Brisbane young gun returned to win the Norm Smith Medal as best afield in last year's grand final triumph. Martin's teammates made a point of supporting him in the wake of his injury. "So humbling - unfortunately we've had a bit of practice with it this year," Martin said. "I felt so loved and cared for, really appreciated it." Martin is Essendon's latest long-term injury, and their 2026 season is threatening to be derailed before this one even finishes. He finished second in Essendon's best-and-fairest last year behind captain Zach Merrett, and was enjoying another strong season. He is the fourth Bomber to injure an ACL this season, joining Nick Bryan, Lewis Hayes and Tom Edwards. Martin and Setterfield make it 10 first-choice Essendon player currently sidelined, alongside Bryan, Sam Draper, Darcy Parish, Jye Caldwell, Kyle Langford, Ben McKay, Harry Jones and Zach Reid. "It's not just the players that aren't there, it's the players that come in," coach Brad Scott said. "They've never played together, and it ends up looking ... a complete lack of synergy and connection. "Rookie players making rookie errors, which is understandable. "Nic Martin's (injury) ... that just sends a shiver down everyone's spine at quarter-time when that word sort of ripples out. "These 12 months, injuries that are mounting up, it's going to be a real challenge to keep everyone's morale up, but that's the job of our leaders. "I think teams can adapt and cover one or two, but when you're talking about half of the team, you've just got to accept that the synergy's not going to be there." After slumping to a sixth straight loss, Essendon (6-10) have just five days to prepare to host rampaging GWS at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night. Despite missing a host of key players, Scott opted to drop forwards Archie Perkins and Jade Gresham to face the Tigers. Perkins collected 21 possessions in Essendon's VFL loss against Box Hill on Saturday, while Gresham didn't play. Norm Smith Medallist Will Ashcroft will be Nic Martin's inspiration as the Essendon midfielder deals with his season-ending knee surgery. The Bombers' injury crisis claimed Martin and Will Setterfield in Saturday night's horror show against Richmond, one of the worst AFL games in memory. Setterfield's foot was stood on and he is also out for the rest of the year with a Lisfranc injury. Martin showed impressive perspective on Sunday morning, ahead of Essendon confirming the bad news for himself and his teammate. "A bit flat ... wrap my head around it and just move on," Martin told the Seven Network. "In times of adversity you build a bit of resilience. As tough as it is, I'm really optimistic about what we can build post-this and the adversity the boys face will see them for the long term. "I've just got Will Ashcroft in my head a bit, how quickly he returned and found form straight away. "All you can do is take one day at a time and just get better." Ashcroft, like Martin, ruptured an ACL, which ended his 2023 season. The Brisbane young gun returned to win the Norm Smith Medal as best afield in last year's grand final triumph. Martin's teammates made a point of supporting him in the wake of his injury. "So humbling - unfortunately we've had a bit of practice with it this year," Martin said. "I felt so loved and cared for, really appreciated it." Martin is Essendon's latest long-term injury, and their 2026 season is threatening to be derailed before this one even finishes. He finished second in Essendon's best-and-fairest last year behind captain Zach Merrett, and was enjoying another strong season. He is the fourth Bomber to injure an ACL this season, joining Nick Bryan, Lewis Hayes and Tom Edwards. Martin and Setterfield make it 10 first-choice Essendon player currently sidelined, alongside Bryan, Sam Draper, Darcy Parish, Jye Caldwell, Kyle Langford, Ben McKay, Harry Jones and Zach Reid. "It's not just the players that aren't there, it's the players that come in," coach Brad Scott said. "They've never played together, and it ends up looking ... a complete lack of synergy and connection. "Rookie players making rookie errors, which is understandable. "Nic Martin's (injury) ... that just sends a shiver down everyone's spine at quarter-time when that word sort of ripples out. "These 12 months, injuries that are mounting up, it's going to be a real challenge to keep everyone's morale up, but that's the job of our leaders. "I think teams can adapt and cover one or two, but when you're talking about half of the team, you've just got to accept that the synergy's not going to be there." After slumping to a sixth straight loss, Essendon (6-10) have just five days to prepare to host rampaging GWS at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night. Despite missing a host of key players, Scott opted to drop forwards Archie Perkins and Jade Gresham to face the Tigers. Perkins collected 21 possessions in Essendon's VFL loss against Box Hill on Saturday, while Gresham didn't play.
West Australian
17 hours ago
- West Australian
Fremantle Dockers recruit Shai Bolton dedicates victory over Hawthorn to retired legend Michael Walters
Tiger turned Fremantle electrifier Shai Bolton has dedicated the Dockers' crucial and gutsy come-from-behind win over fellow top-four battlers Hawthorn to retired club legend Michael Walters. Fremantle's finals fortunes were precariously balanced at the last break, the home side trailing by 13 points and sitting outside the eight with a road trip to face league leaders Collingwood on the horizon. But with a raucous 49,460 fans behind them, an inspired Dockers charged to an emotional 13-point victory off the back of a four-goal-to-nothing fourth term. And Bolton said it 'was all for Sonny'. 'We wanted to get that win for him. He's a legend of Fremantle and we'll miss him,' he told The West Australian. 'I'm glad we got that win for him. 'Everyone played their role tonight, and it was all for Sonny, so it was good.' Bolton and Michael Frederick carried Walters off the field as he was given a guard of honour at the end of the game. During his farewell speech to the playing group last week, Walters even charged Bolton with looking after the club's talented young Indigenous stars. The 26-year-old took the role in both hands on Saturday night, leading by example with two goals from 19 touches to go with four clearances. Bolton was full of praise for his Dockers teammates, revealing the playing group remained as connected as ever in the face of a wave of criticism this week after their disappointing road defeat to Sydney. 'I just feel like when we play our best football, everyone's together, connected and playing their role,' he said. 'We know JL, he's the coach for us. We believe in the game plan. 'We lose one game and everyone is at us. We won six in a row before that, so we just have to keep taking it one game at a time and just play our role. 'We feel like our football when we play at our best, we can beat most teams.' After two meagre weeks under a tag, Fremantle's midfield ball magnet Caleb Serong, who had sought advice from two-time Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe on how to break a run with a player, relished being unshackled by the Hawks, collecting 29 disposals and nine clearances. And Bolton said his performance was crucial in Fremantle earning their top-eight spot back. 'Obviously, he gets tagged for a reason because he's an unreal player and one of the best in the competition,' he said. 'We probably didn't help him as much last week, but we're glad that he got around it today. By him playing his role and playing how he did tonight, that's why we won as well. 'I've got Sebba and Andy telling me when I go in the midfield. I'm obviously still new to the game plan, and wherever I need to go, they're always talking. 'Honestly, we have good leaders, so it's always good when they're helping me out.'
