Hawthorn have arrived in Perth confident they can upset minor premiers Fremantle in Thursday night’s sold-out AFL qualifying final at Optus Stadium.
The Hawks face a formidable challenge against a Dockers side unbeaten at home this season, with Fremantle holding a 12-0 record at the venue in 2026. The match will begin at 6.10pm local time on Thursday, September 3. ([afl.com.au](https://www.afl.com.au/news/1599328/hawthorn-hawks-to-lean-on-recent-finals-record-as-hard-trip-awaits-says-jarman-impey))
Hawthorn defender Jarman Impey described the trip west as “one of the toughest” in football but said his side welcomed the pressure of confronting Fremantle in front of a packed purple crowd.
“They haven’t been beaten over there so they’re very hard and it’s always been a hard trip,” Impey said. “But to be honest, and again I talk about confidence, the last couple of years we’ve been able to travel and play in finals, so hopefully we can lean on that a little bit.”
The Hawks have already played at Optus Stadium twice this season, including a ten-goal victory over West Coast in the final round of the home-and-away campaign. It will be their third appearance at the ground in 2026 and their second visit in less than a fortnight.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said the recent experience, along with the side’s preparation for the journey, had left the players as ready as possible for what he expects to be a hostile occasion.
“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 all year,” Mitchell said.
Fremantle secured the minor premiership in round 23 after recording a club-best 19 wins, including a 14-match winning run. The Dockers also defeated Hawthorn by 15 points at Optus Stadium in round nine after recovering from a 19-point deficit in the final term. ([fremantlefc.com.au](https://www.fremantlefc.com.au/news/2111113/qualifying-final-fixture-set))
The Hawks are expected to regain forward Jack Ginnivan, who missed the final-round win over West Coast with a back concern. Fremantle’s qualifying final against Hawthorn has sold out, ensuring the Dockers will have the full force of their home support behind them. ([afl.com.au](https://www.afl.com.au/news/1600217/sam-mitchell-hopes-wa-experience-will-pay-dividends-for-hawthorn-hawks-against-fremantle-dockers))
