The West Coast Eagles fell to Fremantle by 13 points in the AAMI Community Series match at Optus Stadium.

It was keenly contested throughout before the Dockers finished a little stronger in winning – 11.13 (79) to 10.6 (66).

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 06: Jamaine Jones of the Eagles celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2022 AFL Community Series match between the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on March 6, 2022 In Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos)

If nothing else Adam Simpson and his coaching staff would have been delighted with the intensity around the football in the first half and that set the tone of the day.

He was looking for a response after the disappointment of a week earlier and it came across the board.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 06: Bailey J. Williams of the Eagles marks the ball during the 2022 AFL Community Series match between the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on March 6, 2022 In Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos)

It started with acting captain Nic Naitanui and Tim Kelly in the middle and flowed through with other senior players Josh Kennedy, Liam Ryan and Shannon Hurn accepting the challenge in the last warm-up game ahead of the first game in a fortnight.

Midfielder Connor West provided some spark and rookie half back Brady Hough was under notice with some clever work off half back where his closing speed was a feature.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 06: Tim Kelly of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the AFL AAMI Community Series match between the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on March 06, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

Some of the players sensing an opportunity in the season opener also stepped up with Jackson Nelson turning in a strong performance on the wing while Tom Joyce, a former Brisbane midfielder, did his prospects of being elevated during the supplemental selection period no harm.

Defender Alex Witherden also provided strong rebound while Bailey Williams offered a good level of support for Naitanui.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 06: Tim Kelly of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the AFL AAMI Community Series match between the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on March 06, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

Up forward Kennedy and Hugh Dixon ensured the worst result was the ball hitting the deck and Ryan, Willie Rioli, Jamaine Jones and Sam Petrevski-Seton were ubiquitous at ground level.

Former Richmond wingman Patrick Naish was introduced to the game and the third term and immediately made an impact getting more than his share of the ball. He finished off his work with a late goal.

Details

West Coast Eagles         1.3          4.8          8.6           10.6 (66)
Fremantle                      2.4          5.7          7.9           11.13 (79)

Goals
West Coast Eagles: Ryan 2; Jones, Gaff, Rioli, Kelly, West, Nelson, Petruccelle.
Fremantle: Walters, Taberner 2; Frederick, Acres, Switkowski, Taberner, Banfield, Colyer, Brayshaw, Darcy.

Best
West Coast Eagles: Kelly, Witherden, Naitanui, West, Ryan, Hurn, Hough.
Fremantle: Serong. Ryan, Brayshaw, Brodie, Clarke