‘We Got Hit in the Face’: Hawks Rue the One That Got Away

Hawthorn’s 15-point loss to Fremantle came with the added blow of an injury to Tom Barrass, and coach Sam Mitchell wasn’t happy after the match.

Hawks players leave the field after being defeated during the AFL Round 9 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Hawthorn Hawks at Optus Stadium in Perth, on May 7, 2026. AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says his team shot themselves in the foot, and aren’t yet at the level of the AFL’s best units after suffering a late implosion in a 15-point loss to Fremantle in Perth.

The Hawks led Thursday night’s match by 17 points with just over seven minutes remaining before Fremantle piled on five unanswered goals to snatch the 12.16 (88) to 11.7 (73) win.