Key Defender Out with Hamstring Injury
Hawthorn is facing a setback as key defender Tom Barrass is expected to be sidelined due to a hamstring injury, which typically requires a minimum of three weeks of recovery. The injury occurred in the second quarter of the match, marking a pivotal moment that ultimately led to the Hawks’ defeat on the road.
Barrass’s absence had a significant impact on the team’s strategy. Josh Weddle was forced to play in a more defensive role, while the forward line was “compromised” as players like Jack Ginnivan and Connor MacDonald were pushed further up the ground. Coach Sam Mitchell acknowledged the situation, stating:
“Looks like he’s done a hammy,” Mitchell said. “We’ll wait for scans over the next couple of days. I suspect it’ll be a stint on the sidelines. Losing your fullback is never ideal. We had to push Weddle into the backline which compromised our forward structure a bit. We’ve got Ginnivan and MacDonald and these guys playing on the wing a lot. So it compromises you a lot. There’s no excuse; we should’ve been better tonight.”
Fremantle’s Dominance Over the Hawks
Fremantle proved to be too strong for the visitors at Optus Stadium. They managed to record 22 inside 50s compared to just four in the fourth term, largely due to their dominance in clearances (12-4). This allowed them to turn a 15-point deficit at the final change into a 15-point win.
Mitchell reflected on the team’s performance, saying:
“We couldn’t find any way to get any field position and just get the ball into our front half. So we got taught a bit of a lesson late,” Mitchell said. “We’ve talked a lot this year about being ready to play and win against the best sides, and we proved tonight that we’re not quite there. We shot ourselves in the foot with the way we set the game up tonight, late in the game. We knew we were going to be up against it, and we were going to have to play 120 minutes. Unfortunately, 90 won’t get it done against the Dockers, and we learned that lesson. Hit us right in the face to be fair.”
Continued Struggles for the Hawks
For the second week in a row, the Hawks have failed to secure the four points despite being in winning positions. This has raised concerns about their ability to perform under pressure. Additionally, goal-kicking veteran Jack Gunston was seen limping around late in the contest. However, Mitchell remained optimistic about Gunston’s condition, noting that he returned to the field despite his injury.
Looking Ahead
The Hawks will now focus on turning their fortunes around in their upcoming match against Melbourne. Jack Scrimshaw is expected to step in as the likely replacement for Barrass, providing some stability in the defense. As the team looks to regroup and improve, the lessons learned from this tough loss will be crucial in their journey forward.
