Fremantle’s uphill battle to return to the AFLW finals just got steeper as Hawthorn inflicted a fifth loss in eight games this season on the Dockers at Kinetic Stadium in Melbourne.

The Hawks led at each change and finished the game strongly to leap up to second and while Fremantle were far from disgraced, the 5.3 (33) to 2.6 (18) defeat was a fair reflection on the state of affairs.

It was a battle of wills rather than wits as a strong headwind thwarted the Dockers and assisted Hawthorn in the first and third quarters.

But while Fremantle rolled up their sleeves and embraced the physical nature of the game, the Hawks were a bit cleaner, a bit smarter and a bit more clinical in their 15-point win.

The Dockers did not kick a goal after half-time for the second week running and it could

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