Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has fiercely defended this week's selections and attacked the AFL fixture after Hawthorn mauled the second-string Dockers by 116 points in Launceston.

Fremantle's decision to rest seven players, plus the late withdrawal of Paul Hasleby, meant the Dockers only had six of their best 22 on the field for Saturday's 24.11 (155) to 5.9 (39) demolition.

The margin slashed their percentage from 110.3 to 103.7 and raised the stakes considerably for Friday night's home match against Carlton.

Fremantle were fifth before this weekend and are in a tight race with Carlton, Sydney and the Hawks to see who finishes fifth and sixth, which means the valuable home-ground advantage for the elimination finals.

The Dockers made so many changes because of a bad run with injuries in the last few weeks, the need to rest some players ahead of the finals and the six-day break before the vital Carlton game.

Harvey said they will probably make 10 changes for Friday night.

Such a radical move has predictably divided opinion in the AFL media, but Harvey swatted away any criticism.

"We'll do what we think is right from the club and team point of view," he said.

"We won't be getting distracted by ex-players who want to comment on something they probably don't know too much about if you're not involved (in the club).

"Unfortunately, because we had substantial injury in the last six to seven weeks, we've haven't been able to rest those guys at any stage.

"So it all came to a head quite quickly."

Harvey is clearly exasperated about Fremantle's fixture and indicated they are awaiting a reply from the AFL about their concerns.

"I would love you guys to experience being on the road for 12-14 times prior to today," he said.

"This is not an hour flight, or a two-hour flight, so just take that into consideration.

"We should be looking at exemptions. That's my whole issue here and I'm waiting to hear an answer on it."

Harvey said Fremantle had not sacrificed this game and also denied the wholesale changes were a protest against the AFL.

Asked if he thought the selections were controversial, Harvey said "not at all".

It confirmed North Melbourne could not make the top eight, but again Harvey was unapologetic.

"You make your own play, we're not in it to please other clubs," he said.

But he conceded it was a tough day for the Dockers, whose form has wavered over the last few weeks.

"It's not something we've had in our game too much this year - I mean, getting beaten by a margin, yeah, it does hurt," Harvey said.

It was a record-setting result - the first time an AFL team has kicked 20 goals at Aurora Stadium, Hawthorn's biggest score against Fremantle and the first time they have beaten the Dockers by more than 100 points.

It was also the biggest margin this season.

Until Fremantle kicked four goals in the final term, they were at risk of equalling their lowest score of 1.7.

It was also one point away from equalling their worst losing margin.

Hawks midfielder Shaun Burgoyne was best afield, while team-mate Lance Franklin kicked five goals.

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