James Sicily inspires Hawthorn as Fremantle rue missed chances in final quarter run-down

Fremantle have coughed up a chance to break into the top two after a late surge from Hawthorn, with James Sicily kicking two goals as the inspired Hawks overran the Dockers by 13 points in Launceston.

Sam Mitchell’s decision to move Sicily forward proved the difference between the two sides, with the returning captain kicking three second-half goals in the 13.9 (87) to 10.14 (74) victory on Saturday.

It keeps the Hawks in touch with the top eight, while the Dockers’ spot in the top four is now in jeopardy heading into a tight run to September.

The Dockers were left to rue missed opportunities in the second half, kicking 5.9 to 7.3 as the Hawks extended their unbeaten record at University of Tasmania this season to three.

Hawthorn ruck Lloyd Meek earned a free kick to start proceedings against Luke Jackson, whose arrival at Fremantle in late 2022 forced the former Docker to look elsewhere for opportunity.

The Hawks brought the pressure early, with prolific small Dylan Moore kicking the opening goal after catching defender Heath Chapman holding the ball.

Hayden Young stepped up to the plate after a slow start in the contest for Fremantle’s midfielders, using both feet to deliver silver service for the forwards with back-to-back kicks inside 50s.

With concerns mounting over his accuracy, Jye Amiss’ first set shot was straight as an arrow while Josh Treacy continued his hot form with his eighth straight major.

The Hawks took advantage of an unorganised defence without captain Alex Pearce for a third consecutive week, with veteran forward Luke Breust converting a close-range set shot.

Stand-in skipper Caleb Serong responded for the visitors, nailing a tackle on Changkuoth Jiath inside 50 and kicking truly to put the Dockers up by five points heading into the first break.

Fremantle ramped up the pressure inside their forward 50, with Sam Switkowski converting a gifted free kick to extend their lead.

Despite the Dockers taking control early in the second, Hawthorn wrestled back momentum in a blistering five-minute surge, getting on top at the stoppages to stun their opponents with four unanswered goals.

Brought in to replace Jackson up forward with Sean Darcy (concussion) out of the side, Patrick Voss managed to sneak a late major through as the siren sounded for half time to cut the deficit to seven points.

After four behinds to start the third, a more patient kick from Jordan Clark proved the antidote as Luke Jackson took a soaring grab and converted from the top of the goal square to put the Dockers in front.

It kick-started a dominant quarter from Jackson, who had 10 disposals, eight of those contested, and three clearances as Fremantle threatened to break the game open.

Purple hearts were in mouths when Treacy tweaked his ankle in a ruck contest before sprinting inside 50 to tap it into the lap of Nat Fyfe, who dished it off to Jeremy Sharp. The winger turned to the crowd as he nailed his first.

Two goals in the quarter for Bailey Banfield extended Fremantle’s lead but the Hawks kept in touch with important majors to Mabior Chol and returning captain Sicily, who was swung forward late in the term.

A goal-saving spoil from defender Luke Ryan ensured the Dockers took a nine-point lead into the final break.

The Hawks burst out of the gates to kick the first two goals of the last and pinch back the lead before a turnover from defender Blake Hardwick proved costly.

The miss-kick was mopped up by Matt Johnson, who found Andrew Brayshaw all alone inside 50 and the vice-captain re-captured the lead with a superb set shot.

But the Hawks would not go away, with a desperate Sicily toe-poke snatching it straight back.

The inspired move from Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell would prove the difference between the two sides, with Sicily kicking the sealer moments later.

Much-maligned small forward Nick Watson put the exclamation point on the win as the Hawks kept in touch with the top eight.

SCOREBOARD

HAWTHORN 2.3, 6.6, 8.8, 13.9 (87)

FREMANTLE 3.2, 5.5, 9.11, 10.14 (74)

Goals – HAWTHORN: J Sicily 3 C Dear 2 L Breust 2 M Chol C MacDonald J Newcombe D Moore J Weddle N Watson. FREMANTLE: B Banfield 2 J Amiss L Jackson C Serong J Sharp S Switkowski J Treacy P Voss A Brayshaw.

Best – HAWTHORN: J Newcombe J Sicily J Worpel W Day C Nash. FREMANTLE: H Young C Serong J Clark L Jackson.

Injuries: HAWTHORN: M D’Ambrosio (ankle).

Crowd: 11,146 at University of Tasmania Stadium. Umpires: M Stevic H Gavine A Gianfagna B Wallace.