Roger Vaughan and Justin Chadwick
Jack Ginnivan is expected to return for the AFL qualifying final against Fremantle as the Hawthorn livewire manages back soreness.
Ginnivan has been managed for several weeks and did not play a fortnight ago in their Perth win over West Coast.
But ahead of Tuesday training, coach Sam Mitchell was confident he would return against the Dockers at Optus Stadium this Thursday.
“(The week off was) really beneficial, we’ll see how he goes at training – I suspect he will be available,” Mitchell said.
“He’s a pro, he really goes about it in a very professional way these days and I’m sure he will be fine.”
A big part of Fremantle’s minor premiership was being unbeaten at home, and the Hawks will start underdogs.
The Dockers used their Wharfie Time rally to fire up the crowd in round nine, when they roared back in the last quarter to beat the Hawks.
But an away final holds no fears for Hawthorn, having won two last season.
“I’m glad we’re playing there. If you’re going to play your first final in Perth, it’s good we’ve been there a couple of times this year and we’ve experienced a game against Freo,” Mitchell said.
“We’re about as well-prepared as you can be to play in what’s going to be a pretty hostile environment, against what’s been the best team in the competition.”
Meanwhile, Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is urging his players to stay in the moment as they gear up for the qualifying final.
The Dockers are yet to win a flag in their 32-year history, but they have an excellent chance to end that drought this month after securing the minor premiership and two home finals.
The weight of expectation is big, and former Dockers ruckman Longmuir knows each player will handle it differently.
But after the raging success of Fremantle’s 1-0 mantra after every win this year, Longmuir wants his players to stay level-headed rather than getting caught up on the chance to become a Dockers immortal.
“If there’s someone at the club that doesn’t see that carrot, well then they’re probably in the wrong game. All our players know what’s on the line,” Longmuir said on Tuesday.
“Everyone feels it in different ways. Some players will see it as a stimulus and some players will maybe see it as a distraction.
“We’ll work through that. Everyone sees pressure as different things and we’ve done some work on that, and it’s all about staying in the moment.
“The way to win premierships is to win games of footy, and you win games of footy by winning more moments than the opposition.”
Fremantle will welcome back Murphy Reid, Jye Amiss, Heath Chapman and the retiring Sam Switkowski for Thursday’s clash, but defender Brennan Cox (calf) is out.
Mason Cox will again be handed the back-up ruck role, meaning Sean Darcy misses out on a spot in the team altogether.
AAP
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