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.

00:46

Allen hangs and puts through his third

Oscar Allen's ripping grab earns him a third goal in the opening term against the Dockers

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.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 02: Jamie Cripps of the Eagles is helped form the ground during the 2023 AFL Round 03 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on April 2, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos)

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.

00:37

McGovern joins the skipper on the sidelines

West Coast gets dealt another horror injury blow with Jeremy McGovern out of the game following this contest

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