Hawthorn prepares for final against Fremantle at Optus Stadium

Hawthorn travels to Perth for a qualifying final against Fremantle this Thursday. The team will play its third match at Optus Stadium this season, having previously recorded a 15-point loss to the Dockers in round nine and a ten-goal victory against West Coast in round 24. Coach Mitchell emphasized the value of recent travel experience and the flexibility in the team's preparation schedule. Jack Ginnivan is expected to return to the side after recovering from a back concern, potentially displacing Jack Dalton from the 23-man squad. Hawthorn enters the contest with a largely healthy list, with Conor Nash remaining the only confirmed long-term absence. Fremantle maintains a 12-0 home record for the 2026 season, setting up a challenging environment for the visiting side in the opening week of the finals series.

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