Freo showing better AFL form

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson concedes Fremantle are in better form that his AFL champion team ahead of their grand final rematch.

The Hawks’ hopes of holding off the rampant Dockers at the MCG on Friday night has suffered a blow with captain Luke Hodge ruled out with a groin injury.

However they are set to include veteran midfielder Sam Mitchell, who has overcome the calf complaint that forced him to miss their last round win over Essendon.

While both clubs are unbeaten Clarkson said his players would need to lift if they were to deliver the Dockers their first loss of the season.

History also goes against his team with the defending premiers losing their first grand final rematch on four of the last five occasions.

“They’re playing some good footy and we weren’t so good last week,” Clarkson said.

“They’re playing better footy than us in terms of the form line over the last two to three weeks and if that applies tomorrow night they’ll be going home with the four points.

“We think that we can play a bit better than we have been and if we can we give ourselves a good chance of winning.”

He felt the personnel changes to both sides, due to injuries, retirements and departures, meant the grand final result wouldn’t have as much impact.

Fremantle will be without key midfielders Michael Barlow (knee) and Nat Fyfe (suspension) and also feisty defender Zac Dawson (suspension).

Among the newcomers in the Hawks lineup is former Saint Ben McEvoy, who will line up against giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands.

Clarkson said he didn’t believe the battle would decide the contest.

“Strangely enough, despite his height and his dominance and hit-outs last week they still lost the stoppages to a Gold Coast side that were OK in that area of the ground,” Clarkson said of Sandilands.

“Just because of his dominance doesn’t mean they’re going to win games of footy or win or the clearances.”

Clarkson said Hodge was desperately close to playing, but they didn’t want to risk him so early in the season.

“He’s got a pretty minor ailment and he’s been banging the door down trying to tell us that he’s OK, but we’re better off just taking a week.

“He’s a warrior and he’s captain of the club and wants to get out there and play as often as he can, but we just think it’s better off he has a rest.”

Meanwhile, Brad Sewell (hamstring), centre half-back Ben Stratton (hamstring/calf) and Ryan Schoenmakers (knee) are set to play in the VFL for Box Hill against Werribee on Saturday.

“It’s Schoenmakers’ first game back for nearly 12 months, so that’s exciting for our club that those three are back in the fold again,” Clarkson said.

“They’ll build some match-conditioning over the next week or two and we’ll make a decision on when we’ll try to get them back into our senior side.”

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!