Fremantle Dockers vs Hawthorn Hawks Prediction - Round 18 2025

Super Saturday continues in the west, where Fremantle hosts Hawthorn in the most consequential game of the round.

It didn’t feel like that would necessarily be the case a few weeks ago. It was always going to be a blockbuster between two finals contenders and two sides vying for top-four spots, but after last week's results and chatter, the stakes on this one have increased. 

Fremantle, despite winning six games in a row before falling to the Swans at the SCG last week, find themselves outside the top eight. They’re the first team ever to be 10-6 and not be in the top eight. 

At 10-6, the same as three other teams (Dogs, Suns, Giants), with the worst percentage among them, pressure is starting to mount again on the coach and the squad. 

It’s worth remembering that at this time last season, Fremantle was sitting third on the ladder before embarking on a late-season slump that saw them miss the finals altogether. 

Having strengthened their list at the end of last season, and gaining the advantage of an extra ‘home’ game at Optus Stadium courtesy of North Melbourne this year, missing finals would be a disastrous outcome. 

That’s why all these elements make this Saturday night so huge. 

Their opponents, Hawthorn, secured a victory over St Kilda last Saturday night in a game they simply had to win. It wasn’t a flashy game nor one filled with highlights. Simply put, the Hawks displayed more class when it mattered over the Saints, who basically just got the ball and looked for Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera… 

It was a win that kept them in prime position to challenge. Sitting at 11-5 and fifth on the ladder, they are just out of the top four on percentage and only a game ahead of the chasing contenders.

So, it’s a must-win for the Hawks. Not only to stay in touch with the top four, especially with some favourable fixtures coming up but also to prevent dropping back into the chasing pack and becoming part of the group of teams playing musical chairs for finals spots.

Because that’s ultimately what it will come down to this year. One team won’t have a seat in September when the music stops, and if the season ended now, that team is Fremantle. 

On the selection front, small forward Sam Switkowski is expected to be available after managing a troublesome hamstring injury. He needs to get through training, but his inclusion would be significant. Fellow hamstring-affected Docker Hayden Young is nearly ready to return but is still a week or two away from playing. 

Elsewhere, running defender Brandon Walker could be included after a string of games in the WAFL following his injury, while it is likely that Jaeger O’Meara will be elevated from the substitutes to a full game after a strong stint off the bench. At the Hawks, key forward pairing Calsher Dear and Mitch Lewis have both put their hands up for a recall following robust performances at Box Hill in the VFL. 

Will Day continues to near a return but won't be ready this week. Jack Scrimshaw is also in contention and was named an emergency last week. 

For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Dockers vs Hawks prediction and review below. 

 

Fremantle vs Hawthorn Predicted Teams

 

Fremantle Predicted Team List

B: Luke Ryan, Alex Pearce, Karl Worner

HB: Jordan Clark, Brennan Cox, Heath Chapman

C: Matt Johnson, Shai Bolton, Nathan O’Driscoll

HF: Murphy Reid, Luke Jackson, Michael Fredrick

F: Sam Switkowski, Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss

Foll: Sean Darcy, Caleb Serong, Andy Brayshaw

Int: Corey Wagner, Pat Voss, Neil Erasmus, Jaeger O’Meara, Isaiah Dudley

 

Hawthorn Predicted Team List

B: Blake Hardwick, Tom Barass, James Sicily

HB: Jarman Impey, Josh Battle, Changkuoth Jiath

C: Karl Amon, James Worpel, Massimo D’Ambrosio

HF: Dylan Moore, Jack Gunston, Nick Watson

F: Max Ramsden, Mabior Chol, Connor Macdonald

Foll: Lloyd Meek, Jai Newcombe, Josh Ward

Int: Harry Morrison, Cam Mackenzie, Conor Nash, Jack Ginnivan, Jack Scrimshaw

 

Fremantle vs Hawthorn Prediction & Betting Tips

 

Head-to-Head Prediction

 

Despite losing the most recent battle in this corresponding round last season, the Dockers have had the better of the Hawks in the recent head-to-head, winning four of the past five matches. 

The Dockers had unlocked something in recent weeks with the forward handball chains that had done wonders to slice through opponents. It was a new wave of offence the Dockers had been crying out for and looked to have unlocked. That was until the Swans kicked right through them at the SCG. Hawthorn's team is stacked with… You guessed it. Kickers, and will look to employ a similar style. 

Something that also would have caught the attention of Sam Mitchell was how superstar Caleb Serong wasn’t able to handle the attention of a hard tag. Restricting his influence and direct result on Freo getting their flow from the middle going.

It’s a real test of the Dockers' mettle and mental fortitude here. Are they good enough to stare down everyone and say, ‘We’re not that team of the last few years that just rolls over late in the season’

It might just play into Hawthorn’s hands, who have proven over the last few years to thrive when the stakes rise.

Betting tip: Hawks

 

First Goal Prediction

 

Nick ‘The Wizard’ Watson is becoming more dangerous and adding more strings to his bow. Aside from his regular goal-kicking stuff, which he’s quite good at, usually. He’s hit a nice vein of form in the past two weeks with six goals from his past four matches.

But, it’s his centre bounce work which has caught our eye.

We’re backing him for the first major of the game here.

Betting tip: Nick Watson

 

Most Disposals Prediction

 

As forecasted, we’d be mightily surprised if Caleb Serong isn’t heavily tagged for the duration of this game, which has us looking elsewhere. 

Like many other Dockers, it was a quiet week for Jordan Clark last week, who fell well below his lofty standards this year, averaging 24.1 disposals per game and hitting the 30 mark on several occasions.

We’re picking him for a big bounce-back game. 

Betting tip: Jordan Clark 25+ disposals

 

Fremantle Dockers vs Hawthorn Hawks Match Details

 

Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025

First Bounce: 8:10pm AEST

Location: Optus Stadium, Perth 

How to watch: Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports