Whateley
Fremantle vs. Hawthorn preview | Strategy 2026 with Brenton Sanderson (07.05.26)
07 May 2026
Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Chapter 1: What is the context of the Fremantle vs. Hawthorn match preview?
All right, let's get to Strategy 2026. McCafe Coffee Catch-Ups. Ten delicious new drinks just landed at McCafe. Brenton Sanderson, nice to see you.
Yeah, good to see you, Gerard. Good games to work with. Yeah, brilliant. This is a really good game of footy, a really good round of footy, and we're going to see some ripping games. Yeah, and starting tonight, tonight is fantastic. I don't know who to pick in this one, but we'll see two very different styles. Shall we delve straight in?
Fremantle and Hawthorne tonight. So those two styles, just tease that out for us.
Yeah, well, Fremantle under Justin Longmuir, they generally want a controlled game. So contest, territory, they set up really well for an intercept defence game and they love that sort of discipline defence shape and a bit of a system-based offence too. So they're very controlled. It's like a game of chess when Justin Longmuir is coaching. He's very calculated and he's very organised.
And then you sort of flip that to Sam Mitchell, who prefers that more chaotic, fast ball movement, spread, overlap run, beautiful kicking side. And Hawthorne have been that for 25 years. We know that. But yeah, he's very good at manipulating the opposition's defensive shape. So he'll provide chaos in this game.
And he'll try and exploit that sort of space that Fremantle probably won't show them much of. But they'll look to... to look to be a bit more creative than what Fremantle will do. So two very different, distinct styles that we'll see tonight over in Perth. Styles make fights, so it should be a good one. Yeah, definitely.
What will Fremantle try to do to get the game in their favour?
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Chapter 2: How do Fremantle's defensive strategies impact their gameplay?
Yeah, I think there'll be a couple of elements that Fremantle will want in this. They'll want to turn this into a territory game. So their best footy comes when they lock the ball in their front half and they force repeat stoppages. They've got to have a good stoppage plan and they do. And, you know, they've got that great young midfield in there.
But I think when we see Fremantle play well, they've got that really excellent forward pressure and they have really long periods where the game is played in their front half. So they're very controlled, as I said. I think in this one, though, Justin Longmuir, their main focus will be to deny Hawthorne that speed and that short, uncontested mark change that Hawthorne are so good at generating.
And I think offensively, Justin Longmuir's got to be really careful tonight that Fremantle avoid kicking to spots in the ground that allows Hawthorne to intercept the ball and then start that run and punch game that they're so good at doing. But the other point too, and I know it's so important when you're playing in Perth, the home team always get away to a good start.
It just feels like you're, you know, the long flight sitting in hotel rooms and the umpire raises the ball and all of a sudden you're into this breakneck speed, high intensity game. And sometimes the visiting teams just take a little bit longer to get going. So, I think Fremantle will try and hit the scoreboard early and often.
And to do that, they've got to have a really calculated centre-bounce plan. That's where Hawthorne are so strong. And we saw with selection with the three rucks and how they're going to use them tonight. But yeah, you'd sort of expect Fremantle to bring that really good defensive pressure that's been a trademark of their game so far this season.
So what should the game look like for Hawthorne?
Yeah, Hawthorne, well, they've got to try and break that pressure bubble. So when you watch the game from behind the goals or you've got an elevated view of Fremantle games, they almost get 18 players on the field within about 60 metres of where the ball is. So they have this sort of defensive bubble that they set up with, and that just denies you any time and space.
So if you can break that bubble, if you can get out of that defensive system that Hawthorne provide, and I think Hawthorne can do that, that's... That's one area of Hawthorne's game that is really hard to stop. So Hawthorne tonight, they won't want to play slow and predictable. They'll try and get in the corridor. They'll try and be brave.
They'll get that over lap handball that has to be really aggressive tonight. And I think they'll look for that little short 20 metre, 45 degree angle kick. with the runners coming. So that's what we'll try and see tonight. And they've just got to try and stretch that Fremantle defence as best they can.
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Chapter 3: What offensive tactics does Hawthorn employ to exploit weaknesses?
So, yeah, I think we'll see Sam as a coach that's more likely to change within game. And I think Justin more as a coach that will want to back in his system. And I think they're both excellent young coaches. I just had a look and, you know, the... The listeners might have to correct me on this. Although Sam took over in 2022, they've only played five times since 2022, I think.
And Fremantle have won four of those and Hawthorne have only won once. So when you look at the coaches' box match-ups, it's really interesting to see how coaches go against each other. I can remember when I coached, and I only coached Adelaide for three years, I knew my record against opposition coaches. I knew the ones that used to trouble me, whether it was Ross Lyon or Al Clarkson.
There's some guys that just, there always feels like you're one step ahead of you. But yeah, it's really interesting. Two great coaches, two different systems and two different philosophies, I think, on coaching. So it's fascinating to see them go against each other.
The three games in Perth, Fremantle have won Hawthorne's winners at York Park and there's an MCG win for Fremantle. Yeah, so four and one. Yeah, interesting.
Will Hawthorne's speed worry Fremantle? Yeah, it will. It worries everyone. So yeah, Fremantle, I mean, I think in this one, it's more, it's not that simple. I think you have to, like Justin Longmuir's got to be prepared for this because I think winning contests and having great defence and holding territory, it just might not be enough. to beat Hawthorne.
So as I said, their defensive system will be tested because Hawthorne is better, I think, at anyone. Maybe Hawthorne and the Swans are so good at escaping defensive pressure with that short kick and handball game. I know everyone's trying to replicate that at the moment, but having said that, the free-flowing Hawthorne rebounds, that might be their strength, but
Fremantle in Perth, if you try and overuse the footy and try and be a bit reckless with your offense, Fremantle as good as anyone, that becomes turnover fuel for Fremantle. They're so good at turning the ball over if you're reckless. So I think the speed will worry them. I think they'll have a plan in place to try and prevent Hawthorne's offense.
But yeah, if Hawthorne try and overdo it, and we know they can be the Hollywood Hawks at times, that is an opportunity for Freeman to go back against the other way and score.
Let's look at the sectors of the field. Who holds the advantage in the midfield?
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Chapter 4: What are the key battles to watch in the Fremantle vs. Hawthorn game?
They're intercept marking players. They do back themselves in the air. But it's a huge advantage if Fremantle can get their forwards in dangerous isolation advantages. And yeah, Tracy, Voss, Amos, and then of course the dynamic smalls, Switowski, Reid, Dudley, Bolton. It's just awesome. So that part of the ground is going to be fascinating. I love fourth one's defence.
I think they can hold those three. And I think the smalls will be at a... you know, despite getting the time and space that they'll crave, I'll give the tick to the Hawthorne's backs in this one.
All right. So we have one each now, Fremantle's backs versus Hawthorne's forwards.
Yeah. So Fremantle's defense is excellent. I mentioned, um, how well they've set up behind the ball. I really like Luke Ryan as a player. He's tough. He's aerial. And, you know, Pierce is good too. You know, the skipper, Brendan Cox will play on one of the tools. Um, so yeah, that speed and creative flair is going to be a handful for, um, for, for Fremantle tonight. Uh, I don't know.
I just think the speed will provide some headaches for Fremantle's defence. The way they get up and down the ground, the way they find space, you know, flip the coin on this one. But maybe the edge just slightly goes to the Hawks in that part of the ground too. Right. So it's a 2-1 split to the Hawks. What's your overall feeling? Well, it's a really hard game for me, this one.
I just think if the game becomes open field transition-based and the Hawks can get some lateral movement in this, I'm going to give the advantage to the Hawks. I really like the way that they're playing. But I think if the Hawks will have issues, if they do have any issues at all moving the ball consistently against Fremantle's defence, then I'd lean towards Fremantle.
But this will be a great battle of offence versus defence. Yeah. In this one, I'm just going to slightly give the edge to the visiting Hawks. I think if they can sustain that opening barrage that Fremantle are going to try and pile on them, I think they've got the offence to break open Fremantle's defence tonight.
The peak of the round comes right at the start. Thursday night footer, you'll hear it on AFL Nation. Fremantle and Hawthorne. Brenton Sanderson with the slightest of leanings toward the Hawks.
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