VENUE & TIME: Subiaco, Saturday September 4, 1:20pm AWST (3:20pm AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 22, Fremantle 6, Hawthorn 16
LAST TIME: Hawthorn 24.11 (155) d Fremantle 5.9 (39) Round 21, 2010 at Aurora Stadium
LAST TIME AT VENUE: Hawthorn 13.9 (87) d Fremantle 9.11 (65) at Subiaco, Round 8, 2009
WALKING WOUNDED: The Dockers have suffered a massive blow leading into their first final in four years, losing Hayden Ballantyne to a broken foot. Ballantyne was rushed back into the side for last week's nailbiting win over Carlton, even though he'd only missed just three weeks with a hot spot in his foot that was found after booting six goals in the Round 18 derby win over West Coast. The gamble proved somewhat worthwhile as Ballantyne played his part in last week's win, but the pesky little forward is now out for the season, joining Michael Barlow (broken leg) and Tim Ruffle (ACL) on the sidelines. Ryan Crowley is the favourite to play in Ballantyne's place, but Des Headland and Rhys Palmer are also in contention. The Dockers also have Chris Tarrant (knee) down as returning in one to two weeks, but they'd almost need to make the Grand Final to see Tarrant play for Freo once again. In contrast, the Hawks have been able to bring Luke Hodge back into the side after a minor knee injury. Max Bailey is listed as the dreaded TBC with his knee injury while Grant Birchall's hamstring problem will keep him out for two to three matches if the Hawks survive that long.
FORM:
Fremantle's Past Five:
Round 22: Win, 13.15 (93) - 13.9 (87) v Carlton, Subiaco
Round 21: Loss, 5.9 (39) - 24.11 (155) v Hawthorn, Aurora Stadium
Round 20: Loss, 13.9 (87) - 14.12 (96) v Sydney, Subiaco
Round 19: Loss, 19.9 (123) - 10.9 (69) v North Melbourne, Etihad Stadium
Round 18: Win, 24.16 (160) - 13.7 (85) v West Coast, Subiaco
Hawthorn's Past Five:
Round 22: Win, 15.9 (98) - 13.17 (95) v Collingwood, MCG
Round 21: Win, 24.11 (155) - 5.9 (39) v Fremantle, Aurora Stadium
Round 20: Win, 15.9 (99) - 12.6 (78) v Melbourne, MCG
Round 19: Loss, 13.7 (85) - 19.15 (129) v Sydney, SCG
Round 18: Loss, 12.2 (84) - 13.14 (92) v Port Adelaide, AAMI Stadium
The Hawks are certainly taking better form into this encounter, having won their last three matches. However, how much the last two wins mean is anyone's guess as they thrashed a Fremantle B-team in Launceston before beating a Collingwood side last week, that didn't hunt with anywhere near their true ferocity. For Fremantle, just two wins from the last five games doesn't paint a pretty picture, but the Dockers were decimated by injury after their big derby win over the Eagles and have since regained a host of big-name players.
WHO'S HOT: Heavily criticised by Leigh Matthews after a dismal day at the office against North Melbourne a few weeks back, Stephen Hill returned from a week off with some dazzling little cameos against Carlton. With Matthews looking on from the Channel 7 commentary box, the youngster helped himself to 25 possessions and two goals, although he was helped on his way by an injury to his tagger Andrew Carrazzo. For the Hawks, Clinton Young may have picked up just