‘Lifetime contract’ for Alex McKinnon

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ALEX McKinnon is now drawing inspiration from his teammates — with the injured Novocastrian asking to watch a DVD copy of their emotional win against Cronulla.

Exactly a fortnight after breaking his neck and suffering serious spinal damage in a game against Melbourne, the 22-year-old is expected to watch his "brothers" face North Queensland in Monday Night Football.

The positive news comes after revelations the Aberdeen product requested to see a copy of last week's match against the Sharks, which the Knights won 30-0 in jerseys bearing the name of their injured mate.

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A local mini league team are organising a Easter egg hunt to raise money for Alex McKinnon. Source: News Corp Australia

Elsewhere, McKinnon has also been signed to a "lifetime contract" by the Men Of League Foundation — with Newcastle and NRL officials also working through funding arrangements for his ongoing care.

While the emotional #RiseforAlex campaign continues, Men Of League founder Ron Coote said his organisation's main aim was to still be around long after the current groundswell of support had died down.

"To see what people are doing for Alex is wonderful,'' Coote told News Limited. "But that young man has long battle ahead and our aim is to be there, with whatever support he needs, in two years, 10 years, whatever.

"It's for the same reasons we still work with the widows of footballers who have passed ... people should never be forgotten."

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While the Knights are yet to confirm when McKinnon will be moved to Sydney, it's understood the 22-year-old backrower — who broke his neck during a match against Melbourne in Round 3 — will be watching the match against the Cowboys.

Club officials are also sifting through a pile of letters, cards, emails and gifts — all of which will be presented to McKinnon when he is shifted to his new hospital base in Sydney.

Knights CEO Matt Gidley said it was still too early to reveal how McKinnon would be supported by the club moving forward.

However, the former Kangaroo described as "exceptional" the support shown by the rugby league community to the player, his family and even the Newcastle club.

Knights fans show their support for their fallen man. Source: Getty Images

"The support for Alex, his family and the club has been exceptional. It's early days in terms of his recovery, so we will discuss with Alex, his family and medical staff how we can best assist his recovery. Once we have that confirmed we will share the details."

Coote, meanwhile, also asked reminded the league community that, while the donations through Heritage Round were greatly appreciated, there were also many other fundraising opportunities — including membership — which could be supported to help raise the "millions" they outlay.

"The Alex McKinnon situation, it's exactly why this organisation was formed,'' the league great continued. "When footballers are doing it tough we want to be there for them.

"But we want people to know it's not just for NRL players. That we've spent millions on people who have fallen on hard times.

Men of League founder Ron Coote says the organisation will continue to support McKinnon. Source: Getty Images

"We're talking about a lady who had a stroke at Lightening Ridge. She had a stroke and needed changes made for her house so we did that. We've helped people in Melbourne, outback Queensland, everywhere."

After going winless in the first three rounds of the season, Newcastle rallied against Cronulla in their first march without McKinnon, thumping the Sharkies 30-0 in front of more than 18,000 fans.

Speaking this week, Cowboys prop Matt Scott said he expected the Knights to again be "riding high on emotion".

A Knights supporter group is also selling #RiseforAlex stickers, with all money raised going to the McKinnon family.

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Matildas in revolt against coach

Matildas coach Hesterine de Reus high-fives her players before Australia's eventual 1-0 loss to Brazil. Source: Darren England / News Limited

EMBATTLED Matildas coach Hesterine de Reus is in no doubt she will still be in charge of the national women's team come next month's AFC Women's Asian Cup in Vietnam.

But the reality is that her position is all but untenable in the midst of a player and staff revolt against the Dutch disciplinarian, whose strict methods continue to cause angst in the squad.

Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop admits he is "disturbed'' by the turmoil that is threatening to derail Australia's defence of their Asian Cup crown.

The Matildas yesterday continued their Cup preparations, losing 1-0 to powerhouse football nation Brazil in front of 2583 fans at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre.

But the real contest is being played off the park, with Professional Footballers Australia having asked FFA to take action against de Reus on behalf of the players.

And with 2015 World Cup qualification also on the line in Vietnam, Gallop promised a swift investigation and outcome.

Alanna Kennedy of Australia takes on Bruna Benites of Brazil in an aerial challenge. Source: News Limited

FFA technical director Han Berger, head of national performance Luke Casserly and Matildas' player mentor Sarah Walsh will contribute to a report about de Reus's methods.

"There are some disturbing reports circulating but we need to get on top of the facts around that,'' Gallop told the ABC during yesterday's half-time break.

"We expect them (Casserly, Berger and Walsh) to put a report together as quickly as possible.

"We need to gather the material and make sure that we do a thorough job in that first.''

When asked if she would still be Matildas coach at the Asian Cup, de Reus replied: "Yeah, absolutely''.

She claimed not to have read anything about the player discontent and that the atmosphere in the Matildas camp was good.

De Reus shakes hands with her players after the loss to Brazil. Source: News Limited

"Of course I brought some changes but the changes didn't come exactly from me. The players did their evaluation of their World Cup in 2011 ... where they want to make steps to be even better in the next World Cup and we took it up from there.

"They made their own rules and then it's my job to say 'this is what you wanted', so I control the rules a bit, but I think that's what they asked for.

"The program is much more stricter than they were used to but there are also much more holes in the program that I'm used to.''

De Reus admitted the investigation would be a distraction, but that the Matildas contingent was professional enough to deal with it.

"We want to defend our title, so I don't think it will follow us,'' she said. It was business as usual for de Reus yesterday at a wet and stormy QSAC, where the brave Matildas were eventually brought unstuck by the classy Brazilians.

Elise Kellond-Knight slides in for the ball for Australia against a Brazilian opponent. Source: News Limited

Attacking weapon Debinha scored the game's only goal in the 67th minute after great lead-up work from midfielder Formiga.

Matildas co-captain Clare Polkinghorne said the squad had not been affected by the distractions.

"She (de Reus) has been extremely professional about it all,'' Polkinghorne said.

"We know what we've got ahead of us ... and we've only got one focus, and that's to defend our (Asian Cup) title.

"We're doing our job and no doubt Hesterine's going to do her job.'' The gallant hosts had two late chances to equalise yesterday, but substitute Kate Gill and Michelle Heyman failed to capitalise. The two teams meet again at the same venue on Wednesday afternoon.

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Jim Tucker: what’s up with the Reds?

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ARE the Reds losing their nerve or was Quade Cooper's decision to shoot for a tying field goal on full-time the right call over striving for a winning try?

That moment was a much-debated point at Suncorp Stadium last Saturday night amid the groans of a 32-29 misfire against the Western Force.

If Quade Cooper had slotted the field goal the Reds would only have lifted their haul for the night from one point to two for a draw.

Another night the gamble would have been to keep rolling through the phases to somehow conjure a try and earn four points for a win.

I'm convinced the Reds are gun shy about referees right now and their experience with Kiwi ref Garratt Williamson dictated that final play.

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The Reds had already passed the ball nine times after the siren before going to Cooper's boot.

The feeling that Williamson's erratic night with the whistle at the breakdown might continue meant a guaranteed shot at a draw was better than no chance.

"We didn't have momentum. If the ref deems the ball is not coming out (of a ruck) the game's over, so that moment is a hard one," Reds coach Richard Graham said.

This Super Rugby competition is the tightest on record with only Durban's Sharks and New Zealand's Chiefs looking a step ahead.

That's why how you deal with refs, close out tight games and perform when a star is injured are so pivotal to the shape of the table.

Quade Cooper is wrapped up good and tight by the Force defense at Ballymore. Source: News Corp Australia

The NSW Waratahs were minus ace Israel Folau when grabbing a worthy 22-11 victory over the Stormers in Cape Town.

It was the first win in the republic by an Aussie side this season and showed that Kurtley Beale is getting the starch back in his game.

He boomed over two long-range penalty goals and filled Folau's boots admirably at fullback.

The Australian Conference is still a lottery but the Reds have to beat the Brumbies on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium to keep holding a ticket.

Forget the refs. It's much harder to do than say but the Reds have to find a way.

The Force now lie in wait in Perth for the jetlagged Waratahs on Saturday night. These Aussie derbies have never been better.

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Live: Kohli gets going in T20 final

Virat Kohli hits out against Sri Lanka in the World T20 final. Source: Scott Barbour / Getty Images

SRI LANKA has won the toss and elected to bowl first as it looks to make it third time lucky in the ICC World T20 final against India in Bangladesh.

The Sri Lankans are playing in their third final of the tournament, having lost the deciders in 2009 and 2012, while India is searching for its first title since taking out the inaugural trophy in 2007.

For a while it was looking like the biggest obstacle facing both sides was the Dhaka weather, with rain falling in the hour leading up to the match forcing the toss to be delayed.

MATCH CENTRE: LIVE COMMENTARY, FULL SCOREBOARD, ALL THE KEY STATS

However the weather cleared and the match was due to get underway 40 minutes later than scheduled. India will start the match as favourites having gone through the tournament undefeated so far.

The Indians qualified for the final after recording a comprehensive win over South Africa thanks to another brilliant innings by Virat Kohli, while their best bowler throughout the tournament has been unassuming leg-spinner Amit Mishra.

Sri Lanka has also had its fair share of spin success in Bangladesh via left-arm veteran Rangana Herath, tricky tweaker Sachithra Senanayake and newcomer Seekkuge Prasanna.

However, much of the focus will be on retiring superstars Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakarra, who have had underwhelming tournaments to date.

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Burns farewelled on winning note

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TWO early penalties and an own goal given with an attacking player offside were eventful but what mattered was that Perth Glory won to get off the bottom of the A-League table and the Central Coast Mariners missed a chance to go second.

The Glory beat the Mariners 3-1 at nib Stadium on Saturday night to climb ahead of the Melbourne Heart at the foot of the table and Central Coast ended the night below Western Sydney in third spot, but equal on points.

Re-live the match online in our A-League Match Centre, with videos, stats, line-ups and play-by-play updates.

It was an eventful evening from the outset with retiring Glory captain Jacob Burns earning a penalty that Steve McGarry converted in the eighth minute, but Burns gave one away with the Mariners scoring through Nick Fitzgerald 10 minutes later.

The 1-1 deadlock was broken in the 71st minute with a Glory goal to Sidnei and then the home side wrapped up the 3-1 win with an own goal awarded to Zach Anderson despite Sidnei coming from an offside position to force him into a mistake.peThe Glory dominated the opening minutes and then drew a mistake out of Mariners captain John Hutchinson in his 200th appearance in the A-League.

After a cross from Chris Harold that ended up on target and needing a good save from Liam Reddy, Burns was brought down by Hutchinson and, even though it was soft, debutant referee Stephen Lucas awarded the penalty.

McGarry had no trouble scoring to put the Glory one-goal up after just eight minutes.

Ten minutes later there was almost a carbon copy down the other end.

Burns was the recipient of the penalty for the Glory and then he was the one penalised for giving one away on Kim Seung-Yong.

Again it was soft and minimal contact, but at least it was a consistent call and Nick Fitzgerald levelled the scores.

It was the home team who continued to look the most dangerous and that eventually led to a go-ahead goal in the 71st minute.

Brazilian Sidnei was the man to score for the Glory and put the home side 2-1 up and that became 3-1 in the 85th minute with a moment of controversy.

Mariners defender Anderson was challenged by Sidnei who came from an offside position, but Anderson's attempted clearance ended up in the back of the net and wasn't called back.

The home fans got into the spirit. Source: FoxSports

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Swan’s dive continues

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COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley predicted during the week that fans would get to see the best of Dane Swan after his sluggish start to the season.

Magpie football director Rodney Eade said during a pre-game interview that there was nothing wrong with Swan.

TOMAHAWK HOLDS OFF FAST-FINISHING PIES

Perhaps if it was a case of wishful thinking from both of them.

Swan, a virtually running machine in past seasons, just couldn't get near the ball in the first half. He just looked rusty.

It took him 10 minutes to get his first touch and he went into the half-time break with nine kicks and three handballs in a display which was very unlike the work rate expected of the 2011 Brownlow Medallist. Normally dangerous around goal, he even looked rusty when he gathered the ball in attack in the second quarter in an effort which only brought a behind when the Magpies were in need of something much more significant.

Swan lifted his work rate in the third quarter, but still had little impact on a tight contest.

His wayward kick late in the fourth quarter when Jamie Elliott's fifth goal put the Magpies within five points, stopped Collingwood's forward thrust and was again a rusty effort.

Round 3: Collingwood v Geelong. Picture -Wayne Ludbey. Dane Swan tackles Andrew Mackie. Source: News Corp Australia

The Magpies were missing key defenders Ben Reid, Nathan Brown, as well as Ben Kennedy, Paul Seedsman, Ben Sinclair, Josh Thomas and Marley Williams who are all considered in the best starting line-up.

And early in the first quarter it looked as though key defender Nick Maxwell was going to join the injury list when he limped from the MCG with an injury to his lower left leg. Collingwood's sub Taylor Adams warmed up on the boundary as Maxwell made his way down to the rooms for treatment but he re-emerged nine minutes later to continue his prominent role as a floating defender.

Travis Varcoe wraps up Tom Langdon. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

The busy Heritier Lumumba, Dayne Beams and Sam Dwyer all limped off with injuries in the first seven minutes of the second quarter. While Lumumba was soon to return, both Beams and Dwyer were downstairs in the medical room when their teammates staged a spirited comeback, kicking the first three goals of the term.

Dwyer was subbed out of the game 10 minutes into the third quarter as the Magpies came under enormous pressure.

Alex Fasolo dashes out of defence. Picture: Wayne Ludbey.

And while Swan battled through the night, Alex Fasolo who missed the last 17 games of the 2013 season with a foot injury, was back for his first game of the year and showed in glimpses the class Collingwood has missed from him.

Known for his class around goal, Fasolo, who only played three games last season, started on the bench but was used in defence on the slick Travis Varcoe. He was moved back to his usual role as forward pocket/goal sneak late in the last quarter.

Collingwood's Adams could come under video review for his high contact in the last quarter on Geelong captain Joel Selwood after he had disposed of the ball.

There were plenty of questions for the Magpies to answer last night, including why was Travis Cloke missing his glove. If he was looking for change, it didn't help as he didn't kick a goal.

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India, Sri Lanka set for T20 final

Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (left) and Sri Lanka team captain Lasith Malinga with the ICC World Twenty20 cricket tournament trophy. Picture: Punit Paranjpe Source: PUNIT PARANJPE / AFP

SRI Lanka face a daunting test of nerves by a dominant India in today's all-Asian World Twenty20 final in Dhaka that is rich with incentives for both teams.

If Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Indians win, they will become the first team to hold all three major limited-overs titles, having won the 50-over World Cup in 2011 and the Champions Trophy last year.

Sri Lanka will seek an end to an inexplicable losing streak in title matches, after being beaten twice in the World Cup finals in 2007 and 2011 and the World Twenty20 finals in 2009 and 2012.

A fitting farewell to veterans Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene in their last T20 international game and a million-dollar winning bonus offered by officials back home will further inspire the Sri Lankans.

Sri Lanka reached today's final with a 27-run win over defending champions West Indies through the Duckworth-Lewis calculations in a rain-hit semi-final on Thursday.

The West Indies, chasing Sri Lanka's 6-160, were 4-80 in 13.5 overs when a heavy downpour forced the match to be abandoned at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka.

India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, left, and teammate Shikhar Dhawan chase a ball during a friendly game of soccer ahead of their ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup final. Picture: Aijaz Rahi Source: AP

Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal is again expected to sit it out, as he did on Thursday, to allow the winning combination to stay with pace bowler Lasith Malinga at the helm.

"Its a special day tomorrow and we have to do something special for Mahela and Sanga," Malinga told reporters on Saturday.

"They are great cricketers and deserve a good farewell."

India have enjoyed an amazing run in the tournament, winning all four Super-10 league matches before beating South Africa by six wickets with five deliveries to spare in Friday's semi-final.

Virat Kohli smashed an unbeaten 72 off 44 balls as India chased down South Africa's challenging 4-172, making the prolific right-hander the tournament's leading scorer with 242 runs from five games.

India have also been served well by opener Rohit Sharma, whose 171 runs are far ahead of the 134 runs compiled by Sri Lanka's top-scorer Jayawardene.

India also have the bowling edge with off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's 10 wickets and leg-spinner Amit Mishra's nine outshining Sri Lankan seamer Nuwan Kulasekara (seven) and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath (five).

Dhoni said the prospect of holding all three titles was not on his, or the team's, mind.

"We can think of that only after we have won," the Indian captain said. "For now, it is all about doing what will make us successful. We need to play good cricket, and not focus on statistics.

"Its a big game tomorrow. Sri Lanka are a fantastic side with a good mix of experienced and young players. We will have to be on top of our game."

Meanwhile, defending champions Australia will take on England in the women's final at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium a few hours before the men take the field on Sunday.

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City keeps title defence alive

Stevan Jovetic of Manchester City is congratulated by teammate Sami Nasri after scoring his team's fourth goal. Source: Shaun Botterill / Getty Images

MANCHESTER City kept up the pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool with a 4-1 win at home to Southampton in Saturday's early kick-of match.

Victory saw City close to within a point of Liverpool with a game in hand and leapfrog Chelsea into second place.

But Chelsea, who've also played one game more than City, will go a point clear at the top if they beat Stoke at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool are away to West Ham later today.

The opening four goals at Eastlands all came in the first half with City's Yaya Toure and Saints' Rickie Lambert both scoring from the penalty spot before Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko scored in stoppage-time to make it 3-1 to Manuel Pellegrini's men.

City substitute Stevan Jovetic completed the scoring nine minutes from time.

Toure gave City a third minute lead from the penalty spot after Jose Fonte brought down Dzeko.

Worse followed for Southampton when their England striker Jay Rodriguez, with national manager Roy Hodgson watching from the stands, landed badly after jumping to control the ball and clutched his knee in agony before being carried off on a stretcher.

Rodriguez's injury placed a huge question mark over whether he would be fit in time to be included in Hodgson's squad for this year's World Cup finals in Brazil, which starts in June.

Despite losing Rodriguez, Southampton equalised when they too scored a penalty, in the 37th minute, when Lambert, another of the south coast side's England forwards, struck from the spot after Jack Cork went down between Toure and Pablo Zabaleta.

But two City goals in first-half stoppage time put the result beyond doubt.

Nasri rounded off a neat passing move although Southampton were convinced David Silva, who played in the French midfielder, was off-side when he received the ball. But referee Chris Foy let the goal stand.

Minutes later City were 3-1 ahead when Dzeko headed in an Aleksandar Kolarov cross missed by Saints goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

Jovetic made it 4-1 in the 81st minute when, after both City's Alvaro Negredo and Gazzaniga, in for the injured Artur Boruc, had missed Jesus Navas's low cross, he tapped in from close range.

Saturday's other matches see Manchester United, buoyed by their midweek Champions League draw with Bayern Munich, away to struggling Newcastle while bottom of the table Fulham travel to Aston Villa.

Everton and Arsenal, fifth and fourth respectively before the weekend, clash at Goodison Park on Sunday.

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Lyon: No winners when whips cracking

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Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said he and his staff will review only the first half of last night's embarrassing loss to Hawthorn.

Lyon offered no excuses as the Dockers confront more injuries to key players in a bid to regroup at home to Essendon next round.

CLINICAL HAWKS SMASH DOCKERS

"Clearly, we have to go away and review, but it won't be a long review. We'll just look at the first 30 minutes and a bit of the second (quarter) just to show the areas we got well beaten,'' Lyon said.

The Hill brothers tangle. Picture Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

"When the whips were cracking, there wasn't too many winners in their positions. I thought they dominated us all over the ground.

"In the second (quarter) we kicked 1.6, we tried to hit the scoreboard, but again all credit to them (the Hawks). We were really disappointed in nearly all positions and facets.

"It's not something we're proud of and we're disappointed for our fans and members, we're pretty keen to rectify it.

"At the end of the day the review is too late, you've got to try to get it done on the night. There's precious few opportunities to win games of football.

"We're really disappointed. We're licking our wounds at the minute. All credit to the opposition, Hawthorn really won the ball incredibly well, they spread and we couldn't find them.

"But I thought we found a way to have some resistance and resilience, but that honourable stuff late doesn't really thrill us too much.''

Garrick Ibbotson's bad luck continued when he dislocated his shoulder in the first quarter. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

Fremantle will assess the damage with defender Garrick Ibbotson subbed out early with a dislocated shoulder and Chris Mayne and Michael Walters hobbling off with ankle injuries.

"It's not ideal, but that's life in the AFL jungle,'' Lyon said.

"I've been in bigger holes than this. I don't like the I, it's about me. I'm coach of Fremantle, certainly I never forget 2007 people coming over the fence then. It was a pretty difficult time.

"I learned a lot of lessons about a lot of things and what doesn't kill you makes you strong. I've certainly been in much bigger holes than this, more people coming over the fence than this one.

"Round 15 last year (loss to Geelong) was very similar to this. Conditions, attitude, effort, coaching performance, certainly as a coaching group it starts and stops with us. So we don't separate ourselves, we win and lose together.

"How do you leave losses behind like that? We did it last year and improved and keep going forward.''

Fremantle players walk off after the loss. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

Lyon didn't use the loss of Michael Barlow to injury and Nathan Fyfe to suspension as principle reasons why Hawthorn dominated the midfield duels and contested ball stats.

"We're a no-excuse football team. We won without those guys last year. Their midfield was way on top of ours,'' he said.

"Look, Mick (Barlow) is not going to be there for five or six weeks and Nathan still has another week to serve. But they're not irreplaceable, there's plenty of people with opportunities.

"You've got to be strong at the clearances which we really struggled with and we couldn't find them to cause turnovers. It's pretty simple.''

On whether he marvelled at the magic of Hawk Cyril Rioli's skills show, Lyon said: "He's a great player, but I don't sit there with my popcorn ... we're not 20 and zero, if we were I might get the popcorn out and enjoy his mark a little bit more.''

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Clinical Hawks smash Dockers

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Match. "A GAME or a contest in which two or more contestants or teams oppose each other".

This was no match and certainly no contest.

Hawthorn last night obliterated the Dockers with such unmerciful power and precision it will scare the living daylights out of the rest of the competition.

This is a side which has scaled football's summit, and yet it applies frenzied pressure, runs to space with such undying desire and is so clean by foot you'd swear they were striving to break a premiership drought.

Sam Mitchell shrugged off a calf injury to finish with 36 possessions. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

That is what Fremantle is trying to do, and yet if last night is any indication it could be another 50 years away.

Hawthorn lead by 75 points early in the last quarter before finally taking the foot off the Dockers' throat to win by 58 — 21.11 (137) to 11.13 (79).

At the end of it all, it was hard to believe these were the two sides locked in a ferocious arm wrestle only six months ago on the same ground in the biggest game of the year.

Luke Breust was at his creative best with four goals. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

This was a journey back in time to the old Freo; the purple mob who would go into their shell away from home and put in insipid performances outside WA.

Records were broken everywhere.

Hawthorn's score was the biggest the Dockers have conceded in the Ross Lyon era and the Hawks' 492 disposals the seventh-most ever recorded.

The home side won the ball inside and shared it on the outside with such mesmeric efficiency Fremantle literally couldn't get its hands on the ball.

Isaac Smith kicked two goals in a minute in the second quarter to blow the game apart. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

The uncontested possession count stood 31-0 after 15 minutes and Fremantle didn't take a mark of any kind until the 16 minute mark of first quarter.

Will Lanford got into the act, kicking his first career goal, much to the delight of the faithful. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

At half-time it was the worst disposal differential (-133) ever under Lyon. The Dockers' 128 possessions at the main break was also the lowest of the Lyon era.

Yes, Michael Barlow (injured) and Nat Fyfe and Zac Dawson (both suspended) provide an asterisk. But if that's the case what does Luke Hodge, Brian Lake, Ben Stratton and Brad Sewell provide?

No, absentees are a cop-out.

Brad Hill had a career-high 30 disposals. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

There were periods last night where you could have argued the Dockers had thrown in the towel. It is a harsh accusation, especially at the Grand Finallist, but there was a distinct 'It's all too hard' stink about them for much of the game.

So out of their depth were they that it was like watching Melbourne in its darkest hour or Greater Western Sydney or Gold Coast shortly after birth.

David Mundy was muzzled by Will Langford, Ryan Crowley was given a hiding from Sam Mitchell, Michael Walters Chris Mayne and Hayden Ballantyne combined for two goals.

Ryan Crowley is chased and tackled by Cyril Rioli. Picture Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

And yet again, Aaron Sandilands' ruck dominance (33 hit-outs) didn't translate to clearance ascendancy.

As bad as Fremantle were, Hawthorn was super impressive. It's Round 3, but if the Hawks don't win this year's premiership, it won't be complacency that brings them unstuck.

Last night they outworked, out-hassled and out-skilled the so-called second-best side in the country. They got extra numbers to the contest and after winning possession, simply didn't give it back.

Matt Spangher filled a key defensive post admirably. Picture Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

Cyril Rioli provided the highlights; Jordan Lewis and Mitchell the drive. Six Hawks had 30 disposals or more.

Goals don't get more exciting that Luke Breust's in the first quarter after Rioli and Paul Puopolo combined majestically on the wing to slice open the Dockers. Fremantle's famed full-ground defence was made to look like witches hats.

This wasn't a Grand Final rematch.

It was a statement.

HAWTHORN:

FREMANTLE:

SAM EDMUND'S BEST PLAYERS

HAWTHORN: Mitchell, Lewis, Smith, Suckling, Roughead, Breust, Rioli, Birchall

FREMANTLE: Pavlich, Pearce, Hill

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