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Fremantle Dockers vs Hawthorn Hawks AFL Tips - Dockers steady the ship

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Thu 10 Jul 2025 14:39

Jeremy Darke 10 Jul 2025

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Fremantle Dockers vs Hawthorn Hawks expert predictions for Saturday’s Round 18 AFL game
The game will be played at Optus Stadium, with the bounce at 8:10 PM (AEST)
Fremantle has a strong record at Optus Stadium, winning 7 out of 9 games.
Mabior Chol is expected to continue his goal-scoring form for Hawthorn.

Fremantle Dockers vs Hawthorn Hawks, Round 18 2025 - Expert Prediction

Arguably the game of Round 18 in the AFL will see Fremantle tighten the race even more for a finals berth by pegging back the Hawks at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.

Fremantle Dockers vs Hawthorn Hawks, Round 18 2025 - Expert Prediction
Head to Head
Fremantle Dockers Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Fremantle Dockers Team News
Fremantle Dockers Team List
Hawthorn Hawks Form Analysis & Betting Trends
Hawthorn Hawks Team News
Hawthorn Hawks Team List
Fremantle Dockers vs Hawthorn Hawks AFL 2025 Round 18 FAQ’s

Nothing can split these sides with the Dockers 0.5-point favourites to win in Perth. It is going to be a tight and fairly low scoring affair between a couple of sides that pressure their opponents and love to move the ball swiftly through their midfield.

I expect this one to be a grind with neither team able to get away from the other. I am giving the Dockers the home advantage here, with some weight on the Saturday evening time slot where they have won 5 of their last 6 matches at home.

To drag more value out, I am backing them to get up by a 1-24 margin at a nice price. I am also having a stab at the 151-175 game total with trends pointing in that direction with both clubs' matches hitting that mark in around 50% of the time over the last month and a half.

Goals will be hard to come by but I have to stay on the Chol train at the moment with the Hawthorn forward in fine touch, kicking 2 or more goals in 8 of his last 11 matches.

Fremantle have won 7 of their 9 games at Optus Stadium in 2025
The last 6 matches between Fremantle and Hawthorn have had a game total between 149-177 points.
Hawthorn are ranked 5th in points from stoppage vs Fremantle's defence ranked 11th
Mabior Chol has 12 goals in his last 4 matches.

Head to Head

Hawthorn won the Round 18 clash 87-74 in 2024 with Freo being inefficient kicking 10.14 while the Hawks took their chances kicking 13.9.

Fremantle had won 6 straight matches against the Hawks prior to their matchup last season.

Fremantle have won their last 4 matches against Hawthorn in Perth.

Fremantle Dockers Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
4-1	2-3	2-3

Freo have put themself in a vulnerable position after their Round 17 loss to the Swans 94-83 last Sunday. The defeat by Sydney broke a 6-game winning run for the Dockers that had them back into the top eight. Now with matches against Hawthorn and Collingwood over the next two rounds, they can all of a sudden be two wins away from the top eight heading into the run home.

The Dockers did have some impressive wins in their run though with away victories over GWS and the Gold Coast while defending their fort against lesser opponents. It isn’t panic stations yet, however, it is crucial to get some points over the next two rounds.

Freo’s defence is still the crux of their success, ranked second in the AFL in opposition inside 50’s while they protect the ball on the move with the least amount of opposition intercept marks. However, they are still struggling for quality ball inside 50, ranked 16th in marks in their forward 50.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-39	40+
8-8	7-9	7-4	3-2

Fremantle Dockers Team News

Sam Switkowski (hamstring) is nearing a return to full fitness and could be up for selection this week.

Neil Erasmus was uninfluential last week in the Dockers disappointing loss and could be replaced this week, along with Patrick Voss who was subbed out during the match.

Fremantle Dockers Team List

B: L.Ryan, B.Cox, O.McDonald

HB: H.Chapman, K.Worner, J.Clark

C: M.Johnson, C.Wagner, N.O’Driscoll

HF: M.Reid, P.Voss, S.Bolton

F: M.Frederick, J.Treacy, J.Amiss

FOLL: L.Jackson, C.Serong, A.Brayshaw - C

I/C: J.O’Meara, S.Darcy, S.Switkowski, B.Banfield, I.Dudley

EMG: J.Aish, N.Erasmus, J.Draper

In: - O.McDonald, S.Switkowski

Out: - A.Pearce (Injured), N.Erasmus (Omitted)

Hawthorn Hawks Form Analysis & Betting Trends

Recent Form

Last 5 W/L	Last 5 ATS	Last 5 O/U
4-1	3-2	2-3

Hawthorn have had a positive month, winning their last 4 matches over the Bulldogs, Crows, Kangaroos and Saints which has them back up into fifth on the ladder and a one win buffer inside the eight.

The Hawks held their nerve and had a positive Premiership quarter against the Saints, kicking 5.0 in the third to give themselves a 26-point buffer into the final term winning the match 94-74. Lloyd Meek had one of his best games in the ruck with 59 hitouts and 20 disposals aiding the Hawks in what was a grinding win rather than a flashy one.

The Hawks continue to be one of the cleanest teams in the comp moving the ball with a 73.7% disposal efficiency. Their ability to find the space in the midfield allows them to get quality ball inside the area ranking second in the AFL with an average of 14.2 marks inside 50 per game.

2025 Betting Trends

ATS	Over/Under	1-39	40+
10-6	7-9	8-4	3-1

Hawthorn Hawks Team News

Mitch Lewis, Calshear Dear and Jack Scrimshaw have all had impressive performances in the VFL and are eager for a call up making selection this week for Sam Mitchell a tough task.

Hawthorn Hawks Team List

B: J.Battle, T.Barrass, K.Amon

HB: J.Impey, J.Sicily - C, B.Hardwick

C: M.D’Ambrosio, J.Worpel, C.Macdonald

HF: H.Morrison, J.Gunston, N.Watson

F: C.Dear, M.Chol, D.Moore

FOLL: L.Meek, J.Newcombe, C.Mackenzie

I/C: C.Jiath, C.Nash, J.Ward, J.Ginnivan, F.Maginness

EMG: B.Macdonald, J.Scrimshaw, M.Ramsden

In: - C.Dear, F.Maginness

Out: - M.Ramsden (Omitted), S.Mitchell (Injured)

Fremantle Dockers vs Hawthorn Hawks AFL 2025 Round 18 FAQ’s

How to watch Fremantle Dockers vs Hawthorn Hawks AFL 2025 Round 18?

You can watch the Fremantle Dockers vs Hawthorn Hawks AFL 2025 Round 18 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Fremantle Dockers vs Hawthorn Hawks AFL 2025 Round 18?

To buy tickets to the Fremantle Dockers vs Hawthorn Hawks AFL 2025 Round 18 game check the AFL website or the official Fremantle Dockers site.

Verdict

Fremantle Dockers v Hawthorn Hawks

Mabior Chol will have a multi-goal game, however it won’t be enough for the Hawks to get the tough win on the road in Perth with Fremantle tipped to take a 1-24 victory in a game that has a total between 151-175.

Fremantle

1-24 Winning Margin

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