Fremantle's 32-point loss to Hawthorn in qualifying final
Consensus Summary
Fremantle suffered a crushing 32-point loss to Hawthorn in Thursday night's qualifying final at Perth Stadium, ending their perfect 12-0 home season and dropping them from premiership favourites. The Dockers scored just 40 points, their lowest of the season, while Hawthorn dominated with a 10.12 (72) to 5.10 (40) victory. Fremantle's three-headed forward line struggled, managing only two goals, while Hawthorn's defence and midfield, led by Nick Watson and James Sicily, controlled the game. The loss marks Fremantle's third in their past four games and leaves them facing a tough home semi-final against either Carlton or Geelong next week. Hawthorn, now two MCG wins away from their 14th premiership, showcased relentless pressure and intensity, with Watson's two goals and 19 disposals proving decisive. Fremantle's captain Alex Pearce acknowledged the disappointing performance, emphasizing the need to return to their best form for the next challenge.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Fremantle lost to Hawthorn by 32 points in Thursday night's qualifying final at Perth Stadium
- Fremantle scored 40 points, their lowest score of the season
- Hawthorn won 10.12 (72) to 5.10 (40) in the match
- Fremantle had been unbeaten at Optus Stadium all season (12-0 or 14-game winning streak)
- Fremantle will face either Carlton or Geelong in a cut-throat home semi-final next week
- Brandon Walker was ruled out of the game after rolling his ankle in the third quarter
- Nick Watson kicked two goals and was a key player for Hawthorn
- Hawthorn took a 33-point lead into half-time
- Fremantle had a 14-game winning streak and 19-4 record during the home-and-away season
- Jordan Clark had 38 disposals and was outstanding for Fremantle
- James Sicily was Hawthorn's best player with 26 touches
- Fremantle has played three finals since moving from Subiaco Oval to Perth Stadium
- Fremantle lost three of their past four games
- Fremantle had five changes during the week for this match
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Fremantle had been joint-premiership favourites before the loss
- Hawthorn is two MCG wins away from its 14th premiership
- Fremantle's three-headed forward line (Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss, Pat Voss) combined for only two goals
- Hawthorn's three-headed defence (James Sicily, Josh Battle, Tom Barrass) was masterful
- Fremantle had a 28-9 lead into quarter-time in their 2013 grand final loss to the Hawks
- Fremantle's fourth Qualifying Final since 2013 (won two, lost one)
- Fremantle had won five of the last six encounters with Hawthorn and eight of the last nine
- Hawthorn had won the previous six encounters before that run
- Fremantle had 57 centre clearances in their last four games, conceding 57
- Hawthorn had 56 centre clearances in the last month, conceding 40
- Justin Longmuir backed his decision to select Brandon Walker despite his injury
- Fremantle had a 15-point win over Hawthorn in round nine
- Fremantle had a 12 of the last 13 record against Hawthorn before the recent run
- Fremantle lost last year's last-minute loss to the Suns
- Fremantle had a 10 finals ago grand final win over West Coast in 2015
- Alex Pearce called the loss 'disastrous' and 'really disappointing'
- Brandon Walker was playing in just his fourth senior game in two years
- Fremantle will host the winner of the Geelong-Carlton clash next Friday night
- Fremantle will then have to travel for a preliminary final against either Sydney or Brisbane
- Fremantle was a perfect 12 from 12 at Optus Stadium this year
- Brandon Walker had been on the outer since Fremantle’s season-opening loss to Geelong
- Fremantle’s first-half return of 1.4 (10) was their lowest such score in a final
- Fremantle’s 1.6 (12) in the 2013 grand final loss to the Hawks was worse than their 1.4 (10) this time
- Hawthorn’s 28-9 lead into quarter-time was due to slick ball movement and fierce tackling
- Fremantle’s three-headed forward line (Jye Amiss, Josh Treacy, Patrick Voss) had 19 disposals between them
- Jack Gunston kicked two clutch goals in the first-half onslaught
- Dylan Moore kicked two goals for Hawthorn
- Mitch Lewis suffered a shoulder scare but returned for the second half
- Fremantle’s crowd of 59,446 was their largest ever home crowd
- Fremantle will have to win their semi-final and then an away preliminary final to make their first grand final since 2013
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The ABC says Fremantle will face either Carlton or Geelong in a home semi-final next week, while 7NEWS says Fremantle will host the winner of the Geelong-Carlton clash next Friday night but then travel for a preliminary final against either Sydney or Brisbane
- The ABC states Fremantle had a 14-game winning streak and a 19-4 record, while the Guardian says Fremantle had a 14-game winning streak but does not specify the 19-4 record
- The ABC says Fremantle had a 12 of the last 13 record against Hawthorn before the recent run, while the Guardian does not mention this specific statistic
Source Articles
Dockers wilt against masterful Hawthorn in qualifying final
So good for so long this year, Fremantle chose an inopportune time to put in — by some distance — their worst shift of the season, going down by 32 points to a brilliant Hawthorn.
Fremantle captain Alex Pearce not giving up on premiership dream as selection gamble backfires
The ‘disappointed’ captain admitted they got plenty wrong in the nightmare loss.
Live: Dockers and Hawks meet for massive qualifying final clash
Fremantle's finals campaign starts with a stern test in the west, taking on Hawthorn in the first qualifying final at Perth Stadium. Follow live.
Hawthorn stun Fremantle and record Perth crowd with qualifying final win
Minor premiers suffer first home defeat of the season Hawks never let up after first half onslaught Sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter Nick Watson produced his usual bag of wizardry tricks and James Sicily led a rock-solid defence as Hawthorn ended Fremantle’s perfect home record in brutal fashion with a stunning 32-point qualifying final win in Perth. The Hawks kicked six goals to one in a dominant first half in Thursday night’s clash to set up the 10.12 (72) to 5.10 (40) win and secure
More Sport stories
NRL allows Jai Arrow to play ceremonial 100th game for South Sydney despite MND diagnosis
Nick Kyrgios suspended for cocaine use, reduced ban after treatment program
Darius Boyd appointed as new Queensland Maroons coach after Billy Slater's exit
Alastair Clarkson sacked by North Melbourne with one year left on contract
Sydney Swans scandal involving suspended players and police sexual assault investigation
Tiger Woods pleads no contest to reckless driving after March 2026 Florida crash
Latest cross-verified stories
Bathla Group's voluntary administration and financial collapse affect thousands of buyers and workers
Catastrophic Nepal-Tibet floods leave hundreds dead, thousands missing, including Australians
Daniel Billings' sentencing for Molly Ticehurst's murder in April 2024
Missing Australians in Nepal floods and search efforts
Death of Gloria Steinem, feminist icon, at age 92
Missing and deceased 18-year-old hiker Lily Hooper’s tragic search and miscommunication in Nattai National Park
Browse all stories from September 2026 in the archive.