Jack Ginnivan is expected to return for Hawthorn’s qualifying final against minor premiers Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Thursday, despite managing a back problem in recent weeks.
The livewire forward was rested for Hawthorn’s victory over West Coast in Perth a fortnight ago, but coach Sam Mitchell is confident he will be available for the opening match of the 2026 finals series.
“The week off was really beneficial, we’ll see how he goes at training – I suspect he will be available,” Mitchell said on Tuesday.
“He’s a pro, he really goes about it in a very professional way these days and I’m sure he will be fine.”
Ginnivan trained at Hawthorn’s Kennedy Community Centre on Tuesday and is expected to be the only change to the side that defeated West Coast, with Jack Dalton likely to make way.
The Hawks will be without Conor Nash for the remainder of the season after the midfielder suffered a neck injury, but Mitchell said the club had most of its list available at the crucial stage of the campaign.
Hawthorn face a formidable challenge against a Fremantle side that secured the minor premiership after a club-record season. The Dockers finished with 19 wins, including a 14-match winning run, and will host the first qualifying final in front of a sold-out Optus Stadium crowd. ([afl.com.au](https://www.afl.com.au/finals/tickets/Qualifying-final-1?utm_source=openai))
The match begins at 6.10pm local time on Thursday, September 3, with Hawthorn making its third trip to Western Australia this season and its second visit to Optus Stadium in less than a fortnight. ([afl.com.au](https://www.afl.com.au/news/1600217/sam-mitchell-hopes-wa-experience-will-pay-dividends-for-hawthorn-hawks-against-fremantle-dockers/amp?utm_source=openai))
Fremantle overturned a three-quarter-time deficit to beat Hawthorn in round nine, kicking four goals in the final nine minutes during one of the season’s most dramatic examples of the club’s “Wharfie Time” rally. ([fremantlefc.com.au](https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/2111113/qualifying-final-fixture-set?utm_source=openai))
Mitchell believes that experience, along with Hawthorn’s two away finals victories last season, should help his players cope with the hostile Perth environment.
“I’m glad we’re playing there. If you’re going to play your first final in Perth, it’s good we’ve been there a couple of times this year and we’ve experienced a game against Freo,” he said.
“We’re about as well-prepared as you can be to play in what’s going to be a pretty hostile environment, against what’s been the best team in the competition.”
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir, meanwhile, has urged his players to focus on the immediate task rather than the prospect of delivering the club its first premiership in its 32-year history.
Murphy Reid, Jye Amiss, Heath Chapman and retiring forward Sam Switkowski are set to return for the Dockers, while defender Brennan Cox has been ruled out with a calf injury.
Mason Cox is expected to reprise the back-up ruck role, leaving Sean Darcy outside the selected team for Thursday night’s clash.
