Anna Hay: Fremantle Dockers full of heart, guts and determination to keep finals dream on track

Good: Dockers’ Gutsy win Where do I even begin with a night as magical as that? Fremantle played full of heart, guts, and sheer determination. It wasn’t just another four-point victory; it was a physical and mental battle won against a tough top-eight opponent. Andrew Brayshaw was simply heroic. I can’t ever remember seeing a player as bloodied, battered, and bruised as Brayshaw was post-match, yet he still managed to give a TV interview after the siren. He personified the Freo spirit as he held a towel to his head as crimson streaked down his cheeks and soaked into his purple jersey. The most heartwarming part of it all? This performance was for their retiring champion, Michael Walters. Sonny was embraced by Nat Fyfe, before he was carried off the ground in front of a record crowd. Overwhelmed by the moment, he wiped away tears as he farewelled the game and the club he’s lived and breathed for so many years. This game was a statement piece, a turning point for Fremantle. There was a clear shift in belief, in fight, in grit. As my colleague Adrian Barich so rightly said: “It was a representation of Fremantle, the port city with hardworking hands, big hearts, and a never-say-die attitude.” This was for the Freo family, and this win was for Sonny. Bad: Hawthorn still chasing Hollywood dream As the ladder stands, Hawthorn has only beaten two teams inside the top eight this season. Their victories against top-tier opponents have been few and far between, with a narrow three-point win over Adelaide in Round 13 and an earlier win over the GWS in round three — both games played in Launceston. The run home for the Hawks is a mixed bag, with three tough match-ups against the Crows again, Collingwood, and Brisbane. If Hawthorn wants to make it deep into September, they’ll need to find another gear. Sam Mitchell’s Hollywood Hawks will need to find their Hollywood form. Ugly: Essendon’s injury toll Are any Eagles fans beginning to feel a sense of Deja vu watching Essendon’s mounting injury list? The Bombers’ troubles only deepened on Saturday night when Nic Martin suffered a ruptured ACL, after landing awkwardly on his right knee. This is a big blow for the Bombers, with Martin, a crucial part of their side, now expected to be sidelined well into next season. Now that scans have confirmed the worst, Martin is the fourth Essendon player to suffer an ACL injury this year, joining Nick Bryan, Lewis Hayes, and Tom Edwards on the sidelines. He’s also the ninth first-choice Bombers player currently injured. With these 12-month injuries mounting in the Essendon camp, coach Brad Scott admitted the challenge he’s facing in keeping morale high in the playing group, as their 2026 prospects continue to take a hit. Essendon have now slumped to their sixth straight loss and have just five days to prepare for GWS at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.