Fremantle's promising AFL season is suddenly in danger of slipping away after the Dockers meekly succumbed to a resurgent Hawthorn at Subiaco Oval.

Just three weeks after one of the better wins in the club's history - a 14-point triumph against Melbourne at the MCG - Fremantle has now lost two straight, dropping to a 4-5 win-loss record and facing a difficult trip to second-placed Geelong next week.

The Dockers produced an inexplicably poor effort in a match that was crucial to its stated hopes of sneaking into the top four this year.

Hawthorn was simply hungrier for the ball and four premiership points, winning each quarter en route to a 18.16 (124) to 10.10 (70) thrashing that left the home fans stunned.

Stuck near the foot of the ladder with a 1-6 record a fortnight ago, Hawthorn is now 3-6 heading into next week's clash with Collingwood at the MCG.

The Hawks had winners all over the ground, with Sam Mitchell producing a best-on-ground performance and Mark Williams re-claiming top spot on the Coleman medal count with five goals.

Hawthorn finished with six multiple goal kickers, including Ben Dixon (three) who had one of his better recent games in his 150th outing for the Hawks.

Matthew Pavlich was again a pillar of strength for Fremantle, but it was a one-man show as his teammates failed to match the intensity of a Hawthorn side now just one win outside the top eight.

Leading by 15 points at halftime, the Hawks slammed in five goals to nil in the third quarter to run away with the upset victory.

Hawthorn started the match far more assuredly than the home side, kicking the opening two goals virtually before Fremantle had got its hands on the ball.

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