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Sport
Justin Chadwick

Nothing cute for Freo in blockbuster clash with Hawks

Fremantle head coach Justin Longmuir won't be employing any cute tactics after two late scares. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

After surviving final-quarter scares in the past two weeks, Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says there will be no "cute" tactics in Thursday night's blockbuster against Hawthorn in Perth.

The Dockers (7-1) are one of the premiership favourites after stringing together seven consecutive wins, but there's still a sense there's plenty more room for improvement especially after late fadeouts against Carlton and the Bulldogs.

Fremantle led Carlton by 40 points early in the final quarter before the Blues launched a late charge to close the final margin to 14 points.

Then against the Bulldogs last week, Fremantle led by 28 points at the 13-minute mark of the final quarter, only for the Bulldogs to kick four quick goals to close the margin to five points with plenty of time left on the clock.

Although Fremantle were able to win both games, they want to end the trend of conceding a late run of goals. 

Longmuir denied the back-to-back six-day breaks played any role in the fadeouts.

Fremantle are confronting their third straight six-day break this week.

"We were (40) points up against Carlton, and took our three captains off and Sam Switkowski, so maybe we got a bit cute," Longmuir said.

"Maybe we shouldn't have done that.

"They (Carlton) went to the centre bounce structure and probably spooked us a little bit.

"Then on the weekend, I just thought we went away from what had got us into that position and got a bit cute at centre bounce with a longer hit maybe.

"We just didn't execute the basics well. We took our eye off the contest."

Fremantle have made just the one change this week, recalling defender Judd McVee following his bout of illness in place of Jeremy Sharp.

Hawthorn (6-1-1) have named stars Jai Newcombe (soreness) and James Sicily (ankle) despite minor injury concerns.

The Hawks dropped Jack Scrimshaw and Finn Maginess, while Calsher Dear was ruled out with an adductor strain.

Third-year defender Bodie Ryan will make his AFL debut, with Sam Butler and Max Ramsden also among the three inclusions.

Hawthorn were riding a six-game winning streak before blowing a host of chances in last week's draw with Collingwood.

The Hawks won the inside 50m count 62-34 and had 28 scoring shots to 18, but had to rely on a goal after the final siren to Dylan Moore to pinch the draw.

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