Live updates: Fremantle look to silence finals critics in massive Hawthorn test
Ruckman Sean Darcy has curiously been named on the wing, while Hawks tagger Finn Maginness has been named on the bench.
Can the Dockers answer some questions around their finals credentials and down the Hollywood Hawks? Follow all the action live!
The Dockers have won six of their last seven matches against Hawthorn by an average winning margin of 35 points.
Serong is obviously the key as he was last week but the ruck battle between fromer Docker Lloyd Meek and Luke Jackson, and Sean Darcy will also have a huge say.
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The Advertiser
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Key Hawk set to return as Lions suffer injury setbacks
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Brisbane's eye-catching forward Kai Lohmann will likely miss the rest of the home-and-away rounds after scans confirmed the extent of his calf injury. Brisbane say Lohmann will be sidelined three to four weeks and utility Connor McKenna (hamstring) will miss a month. And luckless Lion Keidean Coleman, who has played just two AFL games in the past two seasons, is out for six to eight weeks with a thigh strain suffered in the VFL. Third-placed Brisbane meet ladder-leaders Collingwood, set to be bolstered by the return of veteran Scott Pendlebury (corked thigh) and Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, who kicked three goals in the VFL in his first match in five weeks. The Magpies' influential backman Jeremy Howe is also set to return from a two-game absence due to a groin injury. Gold Coast vice-captain Touk Miller is in the frame for a rapid recall from a knee injury. Initially slated to miss a month, Miller could return against Richmond after missing only two matches. And 17th-placed North Melbourne expect spearhead Nick Larkey to return to play St Kilda after missing three games with a knee injury. The Saints, still buzzing from Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's match-winning feats last Sunday, could have a batch of players available for selection. Midfielder Mattaes Phillipou is set to resume main training for the first time since suffering a foot injury in round 12. He was a late withdrawal two rounds later after aggravating the injury. Sidelined Saints Lance Collar (shin), Isaac Keeler (hamstring), Hugo Garcia (wrist) and Jack Carroll (knee) face fitness tests. Sydney have ruled out Logan McDonald (ankle) for the remainder of the season but Tom McCartin could return from concussion for their clash against Essendon. Hawthorn expect key forward Mabior Chol to return from injury as Brisbane face fresh concerns in their bid to retain a top-four grip. Chol has missed two games with a groin complaint but the Hawks rate him a certainty for Friday night's blockbuster against Adelaide. "He trained at the end of last week ... we just made the decision to give him another two training sessions to have him absolutely ready for this week," Hawthorn's high performance manager Peter Burge said. Second-placed Adelaide plan for key defender Jordon Butts to resume contact training late this week after suffering a punctured lung two weeks ago. "That means probably a week or two after that, he'll be available to play," the Crows' fitness boss Darren Burgess said. Recruit Isaac Cumming, who missed the record 98-point thrashing of Port Adelaide due to a calf issue, looms as a candidate to replace Max Michalanney, out four to six weeks because of a hamstring tear. Brisbane's eye-catching forward Kai Lohmann will likely miss the rest of the home-and-away rounds after scans confirmed the extent of his calf injury. Brisbane say Lohmann will be sidelined three to four weeks and utility Connor McKenna (hamstring) will miss a month. And luckless Lion Keidean Coleman, who has played just two AFL games in the past two seasons, is out for six to eight weeks with a thigh strain suffered in the VFL. Third-placed Brisbane meet ladder-leaders Collingwood, set to be bolstered by the return of veteran Scott Pendlebury (corked thigh) and Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, who kicked three goals in the VFL in his first match in five weeks. The Magpies' influential backman Jeremy Howe is also set to return from a two-game absence due to a groin injury. Gold Coast vice-captain Touk Miller is in the frame for a rapid recall from a knee injury. Initially slated to miss a month, Miller could return against Richmond after missing only two matches. And 17th-placed North Melbourne expect spearhead Nick Larkey to return to play St Kilda after missing three games with a knee injury. The Saints, still buzzing from Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's match-winning feats last Sunday, could have a batch of players available for selection. Midfielder Mattaes Phillipou is set to resume main training for the first time since suffering a foot injury in round 12. He was a late withdrawal two rounds later after aggravating the injury. Sidelined Saints Lance Collar (shin), Isaac Keeler (hamstring), Hugo Garcia (wrist) and Jack Carroll (knee) face fitness tests. Sydney have ruled out Logan McDonald (ankle) for the remainder of the season but Tom McCartin could return from concussion for their clash against Essendon. Hawthorn expect key forward Mabior Chol to return from injury as Brisbane face fresh concerns in their bid to retain a top-four grip. Chol has missed two games with a groin complaint but the Hawks rate him a certainty for Friday night's blockbuster against Adelaide. 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And luckless Lion Keidean Coleman, who has played just two AFL games in the past two seasons, is out for six to eight weeks with a thigh strain suffered in the VFL. Third-placed Brisbane meet ladder-leaders Collingwood, set to be bolstered by the return of veteran Scott Pendlebury (corked thigh) and Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, who kicked three goals in the VFL in his first match in five weeks. The Magpies' influential backman Jeremy Howe is also set to return from a two-game absence due to a groin injury. Gold Coast vice-captain Touk Miller is in the frame for a rapid recall from a knee injury. Initially slated to miss a month, Miller could return against Richmond after missing only two matches. And 17th-placed North Melbourne expect spearhead Nick Larkey to return to play St Kilda after missing three games with a knee injury. The Saints, still buzzing from Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's match-winning feats last Sunday, could have a batch of players available for selection. Midfielder Mattaes Phillipou is set to resume main training for the first time since suffering a foot injury in round 12. He was a late withdrawal two rounds later after aggravating the injury. Sidelined Saints Lance Collar (shin), Isaac Keeler (hamstring), Hugo Garcia (wrist) and Jack Carroll (knee) face fitness tests. Sydney have ruled out Logan McDonald (ankle) for the remainder of the season but Tom McCartin could return from concussion for their clash against Essendon.
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5 hours ago
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Red-hot Hayden Young could be the key for Fremantle Dockers to break Carlton hoodoo
Fremantle are the hottest team in the AFL, but coach Justin Longmuir knows there's still more work to be done if they are to avoid a slip-up against Carlton on Sunday. Despite the two sides' contrasting form, the Blues have been a thorn in the Dockers' side in recent clashes with Fremantle only winning one of their past eight encounters. The teams have not faced each other since the Dockers' infamous after-the-siren loss in Gather Round last year, with their last victory over Carlton coming back in 2022. However, one man who has avoided a downturn against the Blues is Hayden Young, who boasts a remarkably consistent record against them. In his past three clashes against Carlton, Young has recorded 25 touches, well above his career average, in each game to be among the best for his side despite their defeats. But it could be a forward switch that helps Young and Fremantle break their Carlton hoodoo. In just six games this season, Young has already kicked seven goals, more than half the total (13) he managed across his 23 games last season, as the Dockers manage his on-ball minutes by playing him in the midfield and up forward. Young has never troubled the scorers in his previous encounters with the Blues but coach Justin Longmuir says he hopes he can continue to shine in his dual role. 'He has changed our midfield mix, and it's a testament to the work he put in while he was injured,' Longmuir told 7NEWS. 'He's just another big body in there and another player the opposition have to worry about, which takes the pressure off the other two. 'Having a left-footer in there and someone who can use the ball the way he does is obviously a really good weapon. 'We'll continue to mix his time between midfield and forward and hope to see his impact continue in both areas.' The Dockers have won nine of their past 10 games but Longmuir said there was still improvement to find, particularly after they wasted a string of chances to kill the game off earlier against West Coast. 'We wasted some opportunities, especially in those middle quarters, but any time you're generating 40 shots on goal, is a good performance,' he said. 'Our defence held up well and we generated enough opportunities, but there's still some work to do.'
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Fremantle are the hottest team in the AFL, but coach Justin Longmuir knows there's still more work to be done if they are to avoid a slip-up against Carlton on Sunday. Despite the two sides' contrasting form, the Blues have been a thorn in the Dockers' side in recent clashes with Fremantle only winning one of their past eight encounters. The teams have not faced each other since the Dockers' infamous after-the-siren loss in Gather Round last year, with their last victory over Carlton coming back in 2022. However, one man who has avoided a downturn against the Blues is Hayden Young, who boasts a remarkably consistent record against them. In his past three clashes against Carlton, Young has recorded 25 touches, well above his career average, in each game to be among the best for his side despite their defeats. But it could be a forward switch that helps Young and Fremantle break their Carlton hoodoo. In just six games this season, Young has already kicked seven goals, more than half the total (13) he managed across his 23 games last season, as the Dockers manage his on-ball minutes by playing him in the midfield and up forward. Young has never troubled the scorers in his previous encounters with the Blues but coach Justin Longmuir says he hopes he can continue to shine in his dual role. 'He has changed our midfield mix, and it's a testament to the work he put in while he was injured,' Longmuir told 7NEWS. 'He's just another big body in there and another player the opposition have to worry about, which takes the pressure off the other two. 'Having a left-footer in there and someone who can use the ball the way he does is obviously a really good weapon. 'We'll continue to mix his time between midfield and forward and hope to see his impact continue in both areas.' Justin Longmuir said there's still more improvement to find. Credit: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos / Getty Images The Dockers have won nine of their past 10 games but Longmuir said there was still improvement to find, particularly after they wasted a string of chances to kill the game off earlier against West Coast. 'We wasted some opportunities, especially in those middle quarters, but any time you're generating 40 shots on goal, is a good performance,' he said. 'Our defence held up well and we generated enough opportunities, but there's still some work to do.'
