Hawthorn

Hawthorn are gearing up for a massive AFL round nine showdown against Fremantle in Western Australia, with the Hawks refusing to rest their injury-hit stars for Thursday night's blockbuster between the competition's second and third-ranked sides. Nick Watson's scintillating form has been the standout story at the club, with the young wizard continuing to steal headlines even alongside star forward Jack Gunston, while the Hawks will look to Watson's playmaking prowess to counter the Dockers' own excitement machine in what's shaping as an early September preview. The Hawks' resilience in keeping their key players on the park despite mounting injury concerns shows their determination to make a statement push up the ladder this season.