Where and when: Optus Stadium, Sunday, April 2, 3.20pm

TV: Live on Ch7 in WA, Fox Footy and streaming on Kayo

Last time we met: Fremantle 9.17 (61) def. West Coast 7.5 (47) at Optus Stadium, round 22, 2022

The undermanned Eagles played with true grit and spirit, taking it up to the finals-bound Dockers in a ferocious contest in the penultimate round of the season. West Coast started brightly and had a slender two-point lead at the opening break after kicking 4.0, but couldn’t stem the tide across the contest. Full-back Tom Barrass was simply outstanding on his way to claiming the John Worsfold Medal, dominating Rory Lobb and taking a game-high 12 marks, with 14 intercept possessions.

What it means for the Eagles: The chance to continue building momentum after a confidence-boosting 19-point win over Greater Western Sydney. While the result against the Giants was pleasing, the way the Eagles played - with dare and speed – was just as exciting. The gamestyle the team has been working on clicked, with quick trio Jamaine Jones, Jayden Hunt and Samo Petrevski-Seton among those who impressed. More of the same would be a welcome sight in Sunday’s ‘away’ RAC Derby.

The stat: West Coast leads the RAC Derby win-loss tally 32-23 overall.

The match-up: Sean Darcy/Luke Jackson v Bailey Williams/Jake Waterman

The unavailability of Nic Naitanui (Achilles) and Callum Jamieson (ankle) essentially took the decision whether to play two genuine rucks to combat Freo’s star pair out of the West Coast coaches’ hands. Undersized pinch-hitter Waterman chipped in admirably and Williams was much-improved in his second game for 2023 against the Giants, despite the Eagles losing hit-outs by 11. But Sunday’s opposition pairing will pose a stiffer challenge and nullifying their impact as much as possible could be a significant factor in the scrap for field position and the outcome.

It’s a big week for: Reuben Ginbey

The Dunsborough product was assigned a cooling job on Giants star Tom Green last round and could be bound for a similar role on Dockers star Andy Brayshaw in his first experience of the crosstown clash.

Big call: Inspirational skipper Luke Shuey has been brilliant in the opening two rounds and relishes the big games. We’re backing him to add a Glendinning-Allan Medal to his premiership, Norm Smith and two John Worsfold medals.

Brave, battered and bruised the West Coast Eagles lost the RAC Derby by 41 points this evening at Optus Stadium but did not lose any friends.

Down to 17 fit players late in the third quarter, the Eagles edged to within two points in the opening minute of the final term before fatigue set in and Fremantle controlled the last 20 minutes to win 16.12 (108) to 9.13 (67).

With captain Luke Shuey and Jeremy McGovern out of the game due to hamstring injuries, and Jamie Cripps (ankle) and Alex Witherden (concussion) also sidelined, the Eagles were decimated.

Shuey went down with a hamstring strain and was subbed out of the game in the second quarter for Elijah Hewett and then vice-captain McGovern also left the game with a hamstring strain.

Late in the same term defender Witherden entered concussion protocols after a heavy collision and awkward fall in a marking contest.

It got worse with Cripps being assisted from the ground in the middle of the third quarter and both Liam Ryan and Campbell Chesser playing out the game incapacitated with knee injuries.

The Eagles continued to dig in until the superior numbers and energy of Fremantle eventually overwhelmed them.

The Eagles started strongly with key forwards Oscar Allen and Jack Darling setting the tone but Fremantle’s efficiency going inside their own attacking arc was a concern.

The Eagles led by a point at quarter-time thanks largely to the efforts of Tim Kelly and Reuben Ginbey at the coalface while Bailey Williams was working hard in the battle against the odds in the ruck.

Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson was always going to be a challenge with a clearly under-sized Jake Waterman as the back-up ruckman.

In the second quarter Darcy get well on top and was probably the most influential player on the ground as the Dockers surged and the Eagles had a growing casualty ward.

The Dockers led by 22 points at the main break and the undermanned Eagles had plenty of work to do.     

As the casualty list grew the challenge got increasingly difficult for the Eagles, but the spirit and drive was irrepressible.

Kelly was outstanding in the midfield, Williams continued to grow in the ruck, Samo Petrevski-Seton built on his game from last week while Ginbey had 20 possessions and eight tackles in another eye-catching performance.

Darling and Allen provided strong and reliable targets up forward, kicking three goals apiece.

Details
Fremantle 5.1 9.5 10.8 16.12 (108)
West Coast Eagles 5.2 5.7 8.12 9.13 (67)

Goals – Fremantle: Walters 4; Amiss, Frederick, Jackson, Switkowski 2; Darcy, Brayshaw, Schultz, Young. West Coast Eagles: Darling, Allen 3; Sheed, Hunt, Waterman.

Best – Fremantle: Darcy, Serong, Aish, Brayshaw, Young, Switkowski. West Coast Eagles: Kelly, Ginbey, Petrevski-Seton, Williams, Barrass, Hunt.

Injuries – Fremantle: Nil West Coast Eagles: Shuey (hamstring), McGovern (hamstring), Cripps (ankle), Witherden (concussion), Ryan (knee), Chesser (knee)

Glendinning/Allan Medal: Caleb Serong (Fremantle)

Attendance: 56090