Hawthorn Stun Minor Premiers Fremantle in Perth Qualifying Final
Hawthorn have beaten Fremantle by 32 points in a qualifying final at Optus Stadium, ending the minor premiers' perfect home record and earning a home preliminary final.
The Hawks won 10.12 (72) to 5.10 (40) in front of 59,446 fans — Fremantle's largest-ever home crowd at the venue The Guardian. It was the first qualifying final played at Perth Stadium ABC News.
Fremantle came in as the league's best side: 19-4 across the home-and-away season, minor premiers, and a perfect 12-0 at Optus Stadium. They had won 14 straight at one point. None of that mattered on the night.
Luke Jackson kicked the opening goal for Fremantle, his work in the ruck — the contest where the big men tap the ball to a running teammate — giving the Dockers early energy. It did not last. Nick Watson soccered one off the ground to spark the Hawks, and Hawthorn piled on four consecutive goals to lead 28-9 at quarter-time.
Fremantle's first-half score of 1.4 (10) was their lowest in an AFL final. Their key forwards — Jye Amiss, Josh Treacy and Patrick Voss — managed just two goals and 19 disposals between them, suffocated by Hawthorn's defensive trio of James Sicily, Tom Barrass and Josh Battle The Guardian.
Watson finished with two goals from 19 disposals. Jack Gunston and Dylan Moore each kicked two of their own. The Hawks' spread of goalkickers and their defensive wall were the story of the night.
The reward is significant. A qualifying final win gives Hawthorn a direct path to a home preliminary final — one win from the Grand Final. Fremantle, despite finishing first, now face a cut-throat semi-final in Perth against either Carlton or Geelong. Lose that, and a season that produced the league's best record ends in September.
What makes this result land so hard is the contrast. Fremantle were unbeatable at home all year. Twelve wins from twelve games at Optus Stadium, a fortress. Hawthorn walked in and tore it down in a single half of pressure footy.
The Hawks and Dockers last met in Round 9 of the 2026 season Fremantle FC. Hawthorn also hold the historical edge, leading the all-time head-to-head 28 wins to 14 Hawthorn FC.
Fremantle now have a week to regroup. The Hawks have a week off.
