The Dockers face some soul-searching after a 32-point loss to Hawthorn in their qualifying final.  (AAP Image: Richard Wainwright)

So good for so long this year, Fremantle chose an inopportune time to put in — by some distance — their worst shift of the AFL season.

But that assessment is unkind to a Hawthorn side who were nothing short of brilliant in Thursday night's qualifying final at Perth Stadium.

The Hawks dominated on the ground, in the air and particularly down back, holding Fremantle to 40 points, their lowest score of the season.

The victory was built on manic pressure, the visitors forcing the Dockers into turnovers and denying them the chance to get their running game going. 

Hawthorn will host an MCG preliminary final after an upset 32-point win over minor premier Fremantle in Perth.

Hawthorn's 32-point win puts them into a home preliminary final, the club now two MCG wins away from its 14th premiership. 

Fremantle, meanwhile, toppled from joint-premiership favouritism, and will have to do it the hard way if the club is to bring a first flag to the port city. 

The concerning thing for the Dockers was the manner of the defeat. 

Other than the first two minutes of the game, the result rarely looked in doubt. 

There would be no Wharfie Time comeback against the Hawks this time, as there had been in round nine when the Dockers emerged from a titanic scrap with a 15-point win.

The Hawks came, saw and conquered the Dockers at Perth Stadium.  (AAP Image: Richard Wainwright)

Last night Fremantle, who had been unbeaten at home all year, just couldn't get close enough to push the button.

So good was Hawthorn's defence that the Dockers' three-headed forward line leviathan — Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss and Pat Voss — combined for only two goals.

Voss and Treacy managed just one mark between them.

Source: Read the original article on www.abc.net.au

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