Fremantle and Hawthorn finalize teams for AFL qualifying final

Fremantle hosts Hawthorn in an AFL qualifying final on Thursday night, with the Dockers seeking to convert their second minor premiership into a deeper finals run after a club-record 19-win season. Fremantle set a new benchmark with 19 victories and a 14-match winning streak, but enters the final with two losses in its last three games after resting key players. Hawthorn secured a top-four spot for the first time since 2018, though its recent form includes a loss and a draw. The winner advances directly to a preliminary final, while the loser gets a second chance in a semi-final. Hawthorn last played in a qualifying final in 2018, when it was eliminated in straight sets.