The first of today’s AFL Round 4 matches will be played at Aurora Stadium between Hawthorn Hawks and Fremantle Dockers. The opening bounce is set to commence at 1:45pm local time with the home team the Hawks currently short priced favourites in the market and look to squeeze into the top four after this round. View our live scores and results for the game between Hawthorn Hawks and Fremantle Dockers.
WHERE AND WHEN: Aurora Stadium, Saturday April 20, 1:45pm
Opening Odds:
Hawthorn Hawks $1.17 vs Fremantle Dockers $5.25 at Sportsbet Australia
Hawthorn Hawks $1.18 vs Fremantle Dockers $5.05 at Luxbet Australia
Preview:
Hawthorn take on the Fremantle Dockers on Saturday at 1.45pm, with this clash taking place at Aurora Stadium. The Hawks are massive favourites to win this match, even though the Dockers are only one place behind them on the ladder in seventh position. Fremantle have lost their skipper Matthew Pavlich for at least a month, and will also struggle up-front with their mid-size and small forwards. Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge was great in the victory against Collingwood last weekend, and he looks like a key player again this week against the Dockers.
Hawthorn Hawks:
B: Josh Gibson, Ryan Schoenmakers, Luke Hodge
HB: Shaun Burgoyne, Ben Stratton, Grant Birchall
C: Liam Shiels, Sam Mitchell, Bradley Hill
HF: Paul Puopolo, Lance Franklin, Isaac Smith
F: Jack Gunston, Jarryd Roughead, Luke Breust
Foll: David Hale, Cyril Rioli, Jordan Lewis
I/C: Taylor Duryea, Max Bailey, Michael Osborne, Brent Guerra
Emerg: Shane Savage, Brian Lake, Angus Litherland
IN: Osborne
OUT: Anderson (hamstring)
Fremantle Dockers:
B: Lee Spurr, Zac Dawson, Michael Johnson
HB: Nick Suban, Luke McPharlin, Paul Duffield
C: Tendai Mzungu, Ryan Crowley, Clancee Pearce
HF: Matt De Boer, Kepler Bradley, Nat Fyfe
F: Hayden Ballantyne, Chris Mayne, Michael Walters
Foll: Jon Griffin, David Mundy, Stephen Hill
I/C: Michael Barlow, Danyle Pearce, Cameron Sutcliffe, Lachie Neale
Emerg: Jack Hannath, Hayden Crozier, Tanner Smith
IN: Neale
Hawthorn to move into top 4?
As five unbeaten teams remain in the AFL, it is the side hovering just below them which is looking the most menacing.
Hawthorn’s 55-point dispatch of Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday suggests last year’s beaten grand finalists have found some extra gears in building a 2-1 win-loss record.
With skipper Luke Hodge sensational, the Hawks fought back from trailing Collingwood by 22 points in the second term, traded blows with them for most of the third quarter, before launching a fourth-quarter pummelling on quality opposition for the second successive week.
After convincingly beating West Coast and the Magpies, Hawthorn’s only blemish is their tight loss to Geelong in round one.
But Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson is refusing to buy into how his side fits into any pecking order after just three matches.
“It’s just far too early in the season to get a good gauge on what’s happening – by round six or seven the ladder usually shapes itself a little bit,” Clarkson said after his side’s 22.13 (145) to 13.12 (90) victory.
“We’re certainly pleased to be 2-1. We’ve played against some very good sides, who everyone in the competition rates.”
Essendon, premiers Sydney, Richmond, Geelong and surprise packets Port Adelaide have all won their opening three matches.
Essendon put aside under-fire coach James Hird’s pending interview with anti-doping officials this week for a brave four-point win over Fremantle in Perth on Friday night.
Sydney left North Melbourne winless with a 39-point victory in Hobart on Saturday, while Geelong did the same to Carlton with a 16-point win on Saturday night.
Richmond made it three from three to start the season for the first time in 18 years as they blew away the Western Bulldogs by 67 points at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Trent Cotchin dominated with 36 possessions, while Brett Deledio and Dustin Martin also ran riot in midfield for the Tigers, who play Collingwood in a blockbuster next weekend.
And Port Adelaide stunned Adelaide in the South Australian showdown on Sunday, riding Justin Westhoff’s four-goal haul to a 17.16 (118) to 16.13 (109) win at AAMI Stadium.
The Power were 31 points down in the third quarter, before skipper Travis Boak and Chad Wingard helped inspire their fightback with critical third and fourth term goals.
Melbourne were badly beaten again – this time West Coast trouncing them by 94 points – though the Demons’ competitive first half may have temporarily eased pressure on the troubled club.
St Kilda posted their first win of the season with a 72-point triumph over a pedestrian GWS, while Brisbane beat Gold Coast in a two-point thriller.
