The Fremantle Dockers have taken victory over a nervous Hawthorn Hawks, in at grand final rematch at Patersons Stadium on Sunday afternoon. They would have preferred this result last year, converting their chances to dominate the Hawks 17.8.110 to 13.13.91.
Hawthorn began the game in their typical professional manner, kicking two goals in two minutes through Shaun Burgoyne and David Hale, dominating inside 50 possessions and making the most of some sloppy Fremantle disposals.
Matthew Pavlich finally kicked clear of his drought in the first, playing the lone goal-scoring role for the Dockers after the late exclusion of Hayden Ballantyne.
Nat Fyfe gave away two 50m penalties, which proved the difference at the first break (3.0.18 – 4.7.31) after goal conversions by Hodge and Puopolo.
Freo came out strongest in the second, dominating 50 metre disposals and conversions. Pavlich and Fyfe kicked two goals each while Michel Waters provided some inspirational running footy, linking up well with Fyfe in the forward 50.
With no Jarryd Roughhead, the Hawks needed a player to step up in the forward 50. Paul Puopolo kicked three goals in the second quarter and scrapped his way to a four-goal half, filling the gap nicely and keeping Hawthorn narrowly in the lead at the major break (10.3.63 – 10.9.69).
The Dockers went into the third quarter with a 6-point deficit but ended it with an insurmountable lead. The Hawks looked nervous, making a number of fumbling errors and poor decisions with the ball.
Pavlich kicked his fifth early in the fourth quarter, all but securing the result.
