Fremantle were tracking towards their first grand final since 2013 – and just their second in history – as they claimed a club record 19 wins across the home-and-away campaign. But the Dockers hardly fired a shot in their qualifying final defeat to the Hawks and must now take a longer route to reach a first preliminary final since 2015 – let alone to secure a breakthrough premiership in their 32nd AFL season.
The Dockers’ home-and-away success crucially earned them a double chance but also leaves them as the side to win the most games and then lose a qualifying final. Justin Longmuir’s team will be out to avoid another slice of unwanted history as they are now on the brink of joining last year’s Crows as the only minor premiers since 1983 to be eliminated in straight sets.
