AFL fans were left stunned by Fremantle star Andrew Brayshaw after he delivered a post-match interview while blood streamed from a head wound he sustained during his side’s comeback victory.
The Dockers trailed Hawthorn by 13 points at the final change of Saturday night’s match, but kicked four goals to nil in the last quarter to seal the 12.5 (77) to 9.10 (64) win in front of 49,460 fans.
The result improved Fremantle’s record to 11-6, leaving them just percentage adrift of fourth spot.
Brayshaw calmly agreed to be interviewed after the match by reporter Kath Loughnan, despite blood streaming down his face.
‘You let me know if you feel dizzy at all during this interview as I see the blood rushing down your face,’ Loughnan said.
The footy star sustained the injury when he was struck by a knee during a marking contest in the final minutes.
Fremantle star Andrew Brayshaw calmly delivered a post-match interview while blood streamed from a head wound
Brayshaw was injured by a knee during a marking contest in the final minutes
Following the interview, footy fans took to social media to praise Brayshaw.
‘Brayshaw doing post game interview with more blood than a Jaws movie,’ posted one X user.
‘Andrew Brayshaw doing an interview with blood p***ing from his head is absolute elite level of athleticism,’ posted another.
Others believed another player could have been selected to speak to while Brayshaw got stitched up.
Fremantle goalsneak Sam Switkowski made a stunning return from injury, kicking three goals to lead the Dockers to a gutsy 13-point win over Hawthorn.
Switkowski, in his first match back from a hamstring injury, not only was the leading goalscorer on the ground, but was also the most creative.
The 28-year-old finished with a match-high eight score involvements to go with 16 disposals, often shrugging off tackles or side-stepping opponents to set up attacking forays.
‘Yeah he hit the scoreboard, that’s nice, but he brings so much to our forward line in terms of leadership,’ Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said.
The Dockers kicked four goals to nil in the last quarter to seal the 12.5 (77) to 9.10 (64) win in front of 49,460 fans
The result improved Fremantle’s record to 11-6, leaving them just percentage adrift of fourth spot
‘He’s probably one of the unheralded leadership group members in terms of he slides under the radar a little bit, but I love his leadership, the way he leads those around him.
‘Some of his defensive acts would probably not show up on TV, and people just watching the game probably don’t notice, but they’re massive.
‘He never gives up. His footy awareness, footy smarts in contested situations is second to none. It was good to see him get some reward on the scoreboard.’
Hawthorn opted against a hard tag on Caleb Serong.
The star midfielder tallied just 11 disposals and a clearance against Sydney last week, but rebounded with 29 possessions and nine clearances on Saturday night.
Jordan Clark (31 disposals) also relished the greater freedom.
Former Docker Lloyd Meek tallied 46 hitouts and 11 disposals against Sean Darcy (26 hitouts) and Luke Jackson (31 hitouts) in an intriguing ruck battle.
Hawthorn antagonist Jack Ginnivan was booed throughout the match on the way to 27 disposals and one goal, while Karl Amon (30 disposals, 696m gained) was also influential for the Hawks.
Longmuir had copped a barrage of criticism from North Melbourne legend David King in the wake of last week’s 11-point loss to Sydney.
King questioned whether Longmuir was the right man to lead Fremantle to a flag, and the Dockers coach hit back by saying King had never built a list, game plan or culture before.
Basic skill errors hurt Fremantle badly in the third quarter, but they came out firing in the last
Fremantle were looking wobbly at three-quarter time on Saturday night, but a Switkowski snap to begin the final quarter fired them into action.
Patrick Voss followed it up with a 48m set shot, Darcy nailed his own set shot, and when Josh Treacy converted one from 49m, it was ‘Wharfie Time” for the bustling crowd.
Voss and Hawthorn captain James Sicily engaged in a fierce wrestle before the first bounce, setting the tone for the match.
Recently retired Fremantle forward Michael Walters did a lap of honour at half-time, revving up the home fans.
It also seemed to fire up his fellow goalsneaks Switkowski and Frederick, with the pair each scoring a major early in the third term to fire Fremantle to the lead.
But an opportunistic soccer goal from Hawthorn forward Connor Macdonald and a big mark in attack from sub Finn Maginness ensured the Hawks went to the final break with a handy advantage.
Basic skill errors hurt Fremantle badly in the third quarter, but they came out firing in the last to secure the vital victory.
