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 all the action in our live blog.Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:05pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:05pmAFL Qualifying Final ScoreboardThu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:30pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:30pmDylan Moore puts Hawthorn aheadThe Hawks are getting their feet under them, so to speak, in this game.As this quarter goes on, they are raising the pressure.A kick inside 50 deep left, and Dylan Moore gets it - and he rolls it home from the pocket!!Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:28pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:28pmIs it nerves, or the wet ball?There are more misses here, and a kick from Hawthorn after a run-around that fell short.Is it players' technique, or nerves, or the slippery ball?The rain doesn't seem to be there right now, but a bit has fallen. Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:26pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:26pmChance missed by Jye Amiss!Whew, that was close for the home side!Isaiah Dudley earned a mark just on 50, his set shot started right then swung back - but it fell short and bounced in the square, for Jye Amiss to grab it and snap it skywards.The crowd roared ... but the ball went wide for a point.Dockers by the minimum.Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:24pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:24pmFierce footy in PerthThere are no backward steps out there, and a suggestion that Dockers skipper Alex Pearce has already had to have a finger put back in.We have 13 minutes on the clock, it's 1.1 (7) apiece after an exchange of behinds from Massimo D'Ambrosio and Matthew Johnson.Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:20pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:20pmNick Watson casts his spell earlyWhat was that?The Hawks were struggling to get things going in attacking 50.But finally it worked, as the ball went in beyond Mabior Chol, Jack Gunston got a tap to it, it bounced off a Dockers hand, and fell for Nick Watson, who charged in at 90km an hour to soccer/half volley it through from 25 out!Just ummm ... magic. Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:15pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:15pmLuke Jackson kicks the opener for Freo!It's been a strong opening for Freo, although Patrick Voss dropped a chest mark in the square after about 30 seconds.But after the Hawks made it inside forward half it broke down, and the Dockers hit back.A huge handball to the wing, and then a perfect chip inside 50 to Luke Jackson who takes a mark - and then slots the goal!Freo on the board!Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:12pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:12pmWe are underway in Perth!On the right, we have a rare sighting of a Hawthorn fan at Perth Stadium tonight (Getty Images/AFL Photos)Ok, it's time to go at a deafened Perth Stadium.Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir told Fox Footy before the game that Brandon Walker is going to get the big job on Nick Watson.Asked what his final message to the players was, Longmuir said he told them that finals football brings more mistakes."Don't carry your mistakes with you," the coach said. A fair suggestion for all players out there tonight.Can the Dockers do it? Or can the Hawks quieten the crowd in the west?Let's find out!Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:09pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:09pmThe Welcome to Country and National AnthemWe've had the Welcome to Country from Nyungar man Dr Richard Walley, impeccably observed.And then a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem from the clear tones of Bec Voysey. Bravo...Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:05pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:05pmMore rain falling at Perth StadiumOk, apparently the rain is back - so the old ground ball gets statistic will be pretty important this evening.Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:04pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:04pmThanks for joining usAlready a great atmosphere here at Optus! Should be an awesome match. - SineadSinead,I hope you've got the industrial earplugs in if you're there at the stadium tonight ... it sounds LOUD just on the TV broadcast!Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:02pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:02pmThere's a long way to go in this seriesMy prediction ? We’ll go around in a big circle and end up with these two in the GF. Go Hawkers !- PhillipPhillip,I shouldn't be surprised you think the Hawkers are going to make it to the last weekend in September - but does that mean you think they're going to win or lose tonight?A loss this evening would make things VERY interesting on Saturday.Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:01pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 8:01pmRecent results between Fremantle and HawthornR9, 2026: Fremantle by 15 (Perth Stadium)R18, 2025: Fremantle by 13 (Perth Stadium)R18, 2024: Hawthorn by 13 (Launceston)R24, 2023: Fremantle by 37 (MCG)R8, 2023: Fremantle by 69 (Perth Stadium)R13, 2022: Fremantle by 13 (Perth Stadium)On face value, this has been a rather one-sided recent rivalry, with the Dockers winning five of the last six, and eight of the last nine encounters.However, before that run, the Hawks had been victorious in the previous six encounters, and in 12 of the last 13.The only time the Hawks beat Freo at Perth Stadium was their first game at the venue in 2018.Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 7:56pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 7:56pmRain around - but ok for nowWe had a bit of a shower of rain about 45 minutes ago, but it's ok right now.There might be a bit more coming however. How will that suit the Dockers' array of tall timber?One thing - I don't think the home fans are worried about the weather ... the ROAR they just sent up for the Dockers running onto the ground was very impressive. Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 7:54pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 7:54pmHawthorn — last 10 finalsPF, 2025: LOSS to Geelong by 30 pts (MCG)SF, 2025: WIN over Adelaide by 34 pts (Adelaide Oval)EF, 2025: WIN over GWS by 19 pts (Sydney Showground)SF, 2024: LOSS to Port Adelaide by 3 pts (Adelaide Oval)EF, 2024: WIN over Western Bulldogs by 37 pts (MCG)SF, 2018: LOSS to Melbourne by 33 pts (MCG)QF, 2018: LOSS to Richmond by 31 pts (MCG)SF, 2016: LOSS to Western Bulldogs by 23 pts (MCG)QF, 2016: LOSS to Geelong by 2 pts (MCG)GF, 2015: WIN over West Coast by 46 pts (MCG)It's easy to forget that 10 finals ago for Hawthorn was the grand final win over West Coast that clinched the three-in-a-row in 2015.There's been a fair bit of water under the bridge since then, including a couple of straight-sets exits, and later a couple of runs ending in the semifinal and elimination finals respectively.The Hawks have never played a final at Perth Stadium — and they have only played five finals ever in Western Australia. Their record? Two wins and three losses.Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 7:45pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 7:45pmFremantle Dockers — last 10 finalsEF, 2025: LOSS to Gold Coast by 1 pt (Perth Stadium)SF, 2022: LOSS to Collingwood by 20 pts (MCG)EF, 2022: WIN over Western Bulldogs by 13 pts (Perth Stadium)PF, 2015: LOSS to Hawthorn by 27 pts (Subiaco Oval)QF, 2015: WIN over Sydney by 9 pts (Subiaco Oval)SF, 2014: LOSS to Port Adelaide by 22 pts (Subiaco Oval)QF, 2014: LOSS to Sydney by 24 pts (Sydney's Olympic stadium)GF, 2013: LOSS to Hawthorn by 15 pts (MCG)PF, 2013: WIN over Sydney by 25 pts (Subiaco Oval)QF, 2013: WIN over Geelong by 15 pts (Kardinia Park)This is the fourth Qualifying Final for the Dockers since 2013 — they've won two and lost one of the previous three.It will be only the third final Fremantle has played since moving from Subiaco Oval to Perth Stadium. They have a 1-1 record so far, but will be keen to erase memories of last year's last-minute loss to the Suns.Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 7:40pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 7:40pmCan the Dockers turn it on at home tonight?In case you've been living on Centauri Prime for the last month or so, there's this thing called Wharfie Time, and it's going down a treat out west.Not sure who came up with it, but it's even more popular with Dockers fans than the guys getting danger money playing AC/DC on the roof of Perth Stadium before home games.This one is left to an appropriate time in the final quarter when things are getting tight. The bells go off in the stadium and then a thumping bass like a heartbeat starts echoing around the stands. As you can see from the above clip, it often produces results.Will we see some more of this tonight? You'd imagine we will.Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 7:34pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 7:34pmCentre clearances vital for Dockers, Hawks As they say there are lies, damn lies and footy statistics.But the changes to the game this year have made centre clearances a lot more vital to success.Just looking at the last month of football for both sides, some interesting tales emerge.The Dockers have had 57 centre clearances in their last four games, while conceding exactly the same number (to the Blues, Crows, Demons and Bulldogs). In two of those games, Fremantle were level with their opposition; they won centre clearances in another game and they lost the other one.Hawthorn had 56 centre clearances in the same period, but they conceded just 40 (to the Eagles, Magpies, Lions and Kangaroos). They won the centre clearances in each of those games.Now obviously it's not just how many you get, but what you do with it - and also what you do when the other mob gets one.The raw figures would suggest that perhaps the Hawks might have a little edge here. But can they take advantage?Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 7:30pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 7:30pmHawks facing a test in the westAlways nice to see some captain's run footage from the clubs, even though the addition of 50,000 mad Dockers fans will make a critical difference tonight.The key element of the clip above is a certain Hawthorn number 19 drilling set shots.Forget about The Wizard, if Jack Gunston has a big night tonight, then the Hawks will be right in the mix.Thu 3 Sep 2026 at 7:24pmThu 3 Sep 2026 at 7:24pmFinal Dockers and Hawks teams are in(AFL.com.au)No late changes for either side.Freo named five changes during the week. Murphy Reid, Jye Amiss, Sam Switkowski, Heath Chapman, Brandon Walker are in, and Christopher Scerri, Tobyn Murray, Bailey Banfield, Judd McVee and Brennan Cox are out.Just one change for the Hawks, with Jack Ginnivan in for Jack Dalton.