FREMANTLE 2.1 4.4 8.4 10.7 (67)
HAWTHORN 5.2 7.2 11.3 15.4 (94)
By MATTHEW BALMER
Hawthorn’s Cyril Rioli swooped on two final term fumbles inside Fremantle's defensive 50 to score and secure a win in the dying minutes of last night’s preliminary final.
Pressure in the contest saw Docker defender Tommy Sheridan drop a simple chest mark, which enabled forward Rioli to scoop and goal to push the Hawks 15 points ahead.
The two final-term howlers from the defenders who had helped carried Fremantle to a minor premiership this season assured the side’s exit.
In a post-match press conference, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon acknowledged the pain Sheridan felt after his season-ending error.
“Tommy Sheridan’s sitting there really upset,” Lyon said. “Obviously that’s not the reason we lost … But it was a critical moment.
“I put my arm around him. It’s a brutal game.”
The Hawks ignored a rowdy Perth crowd that set out to put them off their game to gain control of the contest throughout the entire match, placing them a match off a three-peat.
The crowd’s behaviour has come under criticism today after video emerged overnight of a Docker fan allegedly striking a woman in the throat before the surrounding crowd restrained the man.
Police have charged the 24-year-old Joondanna man with assault, obstructing police, and disorderly behaviour, The Age reported.
WARNING: Distressing footage
Earlier, star Docker midfielder Nathan Fyfe spent large portions of the first quarter off the ground with an injured left leg. But this year’s Brownlow Medal-favourite played out the match, collecting 24 disposals and a match-high nine clearances, despite noticeably limping.
Fremantle kicked the first two goals of the game before questionable umpiring decisions saw Hawthorn to a 19-point lead at quarter time.
Despite ushering in key Fremantle forward Matt Taberner in an attempt to fatten the scoreboard, the side kicked just 10 goals and Michael Walters managed a team-high three goals.
Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich finished on the bench with a corked leg in what could be his final AFL match. Pavlich kicked a goal and has had an illustrious career for the Dockers with 335 matches and 669 goals.
Fremantle couldn’t shut down Sam Mitchell, who had a match-high 35 disposals with 21 uncontested.
Lyon resisted an urge to bring back tagger Ryan Crowley to match-up with Mitchell since he returned from ineligibility last week after missing the season on a drug suspension.
Hawk Taylor Duryea equalled his second highest career disposals, collecting 26. The defender showed class when he kicked a fine left foot goal in the final quarter, which helped ensure Fremantle wouldn’t overrun the Hawks.
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson singled out Duryea’s dominant effort as crucial to the win.
“I’m excited, as are the players,” Clarkson said. “We’ve had to work really hard and I’m just pleased that we dug in.”
“[Duryea] played a really strong game. He performed a key role in the back half tonight.”
The Hawks are the bookies Grand Final favourite and will face the winner of today’s match between West Coast and North Melbourne.
A win would see the Hawks pull off an historic premiership three-peat, which the club is yet to achieve in the AFL.
WRAP-UP
GOALS
Fremantle: Walters, 3; Griffin, 2; Hill; Pavlich; Ballantyne; Barlow; Mayne
Hawthorn: Rioli, 3; Roughead, 2; Schoenmakers, 2; Suckling, 2; Smith; Hale; Breust; Hill; McEvoy; Duryea
BEST
Fremantle: Spurr, Ibbotson, Walters, Mundy, Fyfe, Griffin
Hawthorn: Mitchell, Duryea, Hodge, Gibson, Stratton, Suckling
INJURIES
Fremantle: Pavlich (corked leg)
Hawthorn: None
SUBSTITUTES
Fremantle: Nick Suban replaced Matt Taberner at three-quarter-time
Hawthorn: Billy Hartung replaced David Hale in the fourth quarter
REPORTS: None
UMPIRES: Jeff Dalgleish, Brett Rosebury, Matt Stevic
OFFICIAL CROWD: 41,508 at Domain Stadium