Hawthorn have overcome the absence of injured captain Emily Bates to give their AFLW top-four hopes a boost with a spirited 15-point win over Fremantle.
Lucy Wales and Eliza West stepped up as the Hawks prevailed 5.3 (33) to 2.6 (18) at Frankston's Kinetic Stadium on Thursday night.
Wales (20 disposals, 20 hit-outs) edged her ruck battle with Dockers counterpart Mim Strom, while West (19 touches) and Jasmine Fleming (17) starred in the midfield.
Key defender Emily Everist (18 disposals, seven tackles) also shone on return from a week out with concussion.
Bates faces an extended period on the sidelines after sustaining a sternoclavicular joint injury last week, and it is unclear whether the three-time All-Australian will be available for the finals.
But the Hawks (7-1) are on track to feature prominently at the business end of the season after posting a third consecutive win.
"It was a great win in really tough conditions," Everist told Fox Footy.
"It was very windy but we managed to pull through.
"Obviously Emily (Bates) is a massive out, but as long as we can all bring the heat, then we're happy with that."
Hawthorn had first use of the strong wind in Frankston, but it was Fremantle who opened the scoring when Strom caught Wales in a tackle and set up Hayley Miller for a goal.
The Hawks hit back with the next three majors before quarter-time, then held a narrow lead at every change in a tight and physical affair.
Aine McDonagh found out just how physical when she was thrown to the ground off the ball by the Dockers' 50-gamer Ash Brazill.
Miller blew a huge chance to seize momentum for Fremantle before three-quarter time when she missed an open goal after a brilliant smother on Everist.
It meant the Hawks turned for home nine points in front, and McDonagh kicked the crucial first goal of final term to give the home side breathing space.
Strom (20 touches, six clearances), Gabby Newton (19, six) and Kiara Bowers (22, four) all fought hard for the Dockers, with Bowers adding a game-high 11 tackles.
