Hawthorn  5.2  10.4  13.6  18.10 (118)
Fremantle 0.2  5.4  8.8  11.10 (76)

Goals: Hawthorn: Franklin 4, Roughead 4, Rioli 3, Burgoyne 2, Breust 2, Birchall, Lewis, Franklin
Fremantle: Bradley 3, Mayne 2, Mundy, Sutcliffe, Crowley, Mayne, Walters, Neale

Best: Hawthorn: Burgoyne, Rioli, Birchall, Mitchell, Stratton, Bailey, Franklin
Fremantle: Fyfe, Barlow, Mundy, Mayne, Walters, Bradley

Hawthorn made it three wins from three matches when it produced a solid victory over Fremantle at Aurora Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

It was a balanced and solid performance from the Hawks, who looked in control from the opening bounce thanks to the ability of the midfield to win the ball at the stoppages.

A five goal blitz in the opening term set up the win, with Fremantle failing to pose any threat forward of centre.

While the Dockers were already without Captain Matthew Pavlich and gun ruckman Aaron Sandilands, they were dealt a blow before the first bounce with All Australian defender Luke McPharlin failing to pass a concussion test.

The Hawks too were without stars of their own, with Brent Guerra a late withdrawal with soreness and Brad Sewell out for a second week with a hamstring injury.

But, it was Fremantle’s injury list that had the most impact, with their forward set up unable to pose a threat to the Hawthorn backline until the second half.

Hawks in control

While Fremantle seemed to settle into the game first and control the ball for the opening five minutes, the Hawthorn defence proved steadfast in its ability to close down time and space the Dockers’ forwards had to worn in.

Without Pavlich as its key forward, Fremantle were unable to find a suitable target able to stand out amid a packed Hawthorn defence, with Josh Gibson and Ryan Schoenmakers easily accounting for Chris Mayne and Kepler Bradley.

One the Hawks settled into the pace of the game though, it put the accelerator down and built was proved to be a match winning lead of 30 points at the first break.

That lead was sparked by a scintillating run through the middle from Cyril Rioli to kick the opening goal and, when he kicked his second after a chain of handpasses under little pressure inside 50, the signs were ominous.

It was almost as if Hawthorn had two extra players on the field, such was its ability to find teammates in space who could run and carry and deliver inside 50. Then, on the flipside, how much pressure it was able to apply on Fremantle whose possession was rushed.

It was Hawthorn’s ability to win the contested ball (36-24) and their spread that hurt the Dockers. Hawthorn exposed Fremantle’s lack of pace through the middle and it’s quick ball movement meant it had the time to set up teammates in space.

The Hawks gathered 72 uncontested possessions in the first term, while the Dockers had just 53.

The game evens up

While Hawthorn dominated the opening term, the Dockers were able to wrestle back some ascendency as it dominated the clearances in the second term.

At one stage in the first quarter, Hawthorn had won seven clearances to 2, but had that strength taken away from it in the second quarter.

With four minutes remaining in the second term, Fremantle had won 12 clearances to 3 to take a 21 to 17 advantage in that area at half time.

By the end of the game, Fremantle had won the clearances 42-36.

Fremantle also managed to get their hands on the footy in contested situations after quarter time, winning the hard ball in the second term, 40-35 and breaking even in the third, 34-35. It was one area the Dockers were outplayed in in the first term, but were able to improve over the course of the game.

Fremantle’s forward line

After struggling in the first quarter, Fremantle’s ability to win the clearances, contested ball and consequently, find more time and space resulted in its forward line functioning better.

Kepler Bradley proved the biggest threat of their big men, booting three goals for the game, while Chris Mayne chipped in with two.

The Dockers took no marks inside their forward 50 in the first term, but as a result of their ability to win the ball in close and get their running game going, they took nine marks inside 50 after quarter time.

Hawthorn’s forward line

It is arguably the best and most potent forward line in the competition, and Hawthorn’s forward set up showed why on Saturday. It is versatile, strong in the air, quick on the ground and it has the ability to suffocate the opposition as good as any other forward line in the league.

On Saturday, it was Jarryd Roughead who was most dangerous, proving too big and too strong for the undersized Fremantle defence. Roughead had 21 possessions, kicked four goals and took eight marks – three of which were contested.

He was assisted by Lance Franklin who also booted four goals, two of which came at crucial time when the Dockers got within four goals.

 Cyril Rioli kicked three and Luke Breust continued his good form playing as a small forward who splits his time in the midfield - he gathered 21 possessions and kicked two goals.

Such was the potency of the Hawthorn forward line that whenever the Dockers closed the gap, it was abler to respond quickly with a goal of their own.

The Hawks never let Fremantle get within three goals, it was always in control of the game.

Birchall and Burgoyne

They’re two players who quietly go about their business but there was nothing quiet about the performance of Shaun Burgoyne and Grant Birchall on Saturday.

The pair are two players who benefit from Hawthorn having such a talented group of players, that they perhaps don’t receive the attention from opposition teams they deserve. If they were in any other side, no doubt they’d be targeted by their opponents.

Playing in his home state of Tasmania, Birchall was best on ground playing off half back. The rangy defender patrolled the Hawthorn backline like a general and provided great run and drive to send Hawthorn forward.

He gathered 37 possessions at 81 per cent efficiency and also took 12 marks.

Burgoyne on the other hand was again a Mr. Fix It for the Hawks as he spent time up forward, in the middle and down back throughout the game.

He kicked two goals, gathered 28 disposals; laid three tackles had four clearances and six inside 50s. His efficiency, 89 per cent – it was a commanding performance from the Hawks utility.

Schoenmakers goes down

The news wasn’t all good for the Hawks though, with their 42 point win coming at a cost – defender Ryan Schoenmakers rupturing his ACL.

The promising defender will miss the remainder of the 2013 season as he is set to undergo a knee reconstruction. He sustained the injury in the second term when trying to change direction on the wing.

What the coaches said

Hawthorn’s Alastair Clarkson: "I don't think the game rose to any great heights today, but we're really pleased to bank the four points.

“A six- or seven-goal win against Fremantle at any stage is a good result for us, so we're pleased by and large by our effort today.”

Fremantle’s Ross Lyon: ”We've got lack of effort, you're talking about absences, how about we played a very good football team today.

"They're sitting on top of the ladder, they played in the Grand Final, dominated every statistical indicator, they're pretty fit and healthy.”