Thursday Night Football heads west with a blockbuster clash between the in-form Dockers and premiership fancy Hawthorn at Optus Stadium.<\/p>\n
Fremantle extended their winning streak to seven matches last week, surviving a late Bulldogs charge to remain one of the hottest teams in the competition.<\/p>\n
Now they return home to Optus Stadium where they\u2019ve built a serious fortress, facing a Hawthorn side coming off a dramatic draw against Collingwood.<\/p>\n
The Hawks were fortunate to escape with two points last Thursday night thanks to Dylan Moore\u2019s goal after the siren, but they\u2019ll need a much sharper performance here against a Dockers outfit that matches up well on them.<\/p>\n
The Dockers should have the edge through the midfield with Serong, Brayshaw, Young, Reid and Bolton all in strong form.<\/p>\n
Fremantle also profile extremely well defensively against Hawthorn\u2019s dangerous small forwards, restricting goals to midfielder-forwards 44% below league average this season.<\/p>\n
That becomes particularly important against players like Watson and Macdonald.<\/p>\n
The Dockers have also dominated this matchup recently, winning seven of their last eight against Hawthorn and covering the line in six of those games.<\/p>\n
At Optus Stadium specifically, Fremantle have won five straight against the Hawks including a 13-point victory last season.<\/p>\n
This shapes as a lower-disposal style game with both teams ranking among the best defensively at limiting opposition possessions.<\/p>\n
That makes consistent 15+ disposal players appealing, and Heath Chapman fits perfectly.<\/p>\n
The Dockers defender is averaging 17.9 disposals per game this season and has recorded 15+ disposals in seven of eight appearances.<\/p>\n
Dylan Moore continues to produce remarkable consistency year after year for Hawthorn.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s kicked eight goals from seven matches this season and has scored at least one goal in five of those games.<\/p>\n
Looking further back, Moore has kicked a goal in 15 of his last 19 matches overall.<\/p>\n
He also enjoys this matchup, hitting the scoreboard in each of his last three games against Fremantle.<\/p>\n
Hardwick remains a crucial piece in Hawthorn\u2019s ball movement from defensive half.<\/p>\n
Even after a slow start against Collingwood last week where he had only three disposals at half-time, he still found a way to finish on 15.<\/p>\n
Hardwick is averaging 18 disposals per game this season and has now recorded 15+ disposals in seven consecutive matches.<\/p>\n
Given Hawthorn\u2019s preference to switch and control possession from half-back, he should once again see enough football.<\/p>\n