Fremantle prepares for semi-final after qualifying loss to Hawthorn

Fremantle fell to Hawthorn by 32 points in a qualifying final at Optus Stadium on September 3, 2026. The defeat forces the team to participate in a semi-final match next week against the winner of the Geelong and Carlton game. Coach Justin Longmuir attributed the loss to excessive turnovers, noting that Fremantle recorded 20 back-half turnovers during the first half alone. The team struggled offensively, producing its lowest scoring first half of the season by kicking 1.4. Despite the setback, Longmuir expressed confidence in his team's ability to rebound, citing their 14-game winning streak earlier in the 2026 season as evidence they can perform under pressure. Fremantle now has eight days to prepare for its next finals appearance, where a victory is required to maintain a path toward a grand final berth.

• 2:42 PMAFL — Dockers not 'dead and buried' as Longmuir laments costly turnovers