West Coast has fallen to Fremantle in RAC Derby No.60, paying the price for some sloppy turnovers in a 38-point loss on Sunday at Optus Stadium.
Coming off a spirited effort in Brisbane, the Eagles were unable to bring the same pressure and presence in the contest, with Fremantle’s midfield taking hold.
Fremantle dominated the inside 50 count (65-37) and clearances (40-25) to put West Coast’s backline under immense pressure throughout the four quarters.
Rubbing salt into the wounds for West Coast was a groin injury suffered by champion defender Jeremy McGovern ahead of a tough trip to face Greater Western Sydney.
The Dockers' midfield stars set up the 15.16 (106) to 10.8 (68) win, with the team winning its seventh Derby out of the past eight to get on the board for 2025.
Caleb Serong was outstanding again, finishing with 35 disposals and 10 clearances to claim his record-equalling fourth Glendinning-Allan Medal.
He partnered with fellow vice-captain Andrew Brayshaw (29 and six) to drive the Dockers' response to a 0-2 start.
The Dockers' midfielders were well-served by ruckman Luke Jackson, who has stood up in Darcy's absence, while key forwards Jye Amiss (four goals) and Josh Treacy (three) cashed in on a weight of supply.
They passed 100 points for the first time since their last win, against West Coast in round 21 last season.
It was an armwrestle early and there were repeated errors from both teams as the pressure grew, but the Dockers were able to lean on their clearance strength and get the game on their terms.
Key forward Treacy took over in the second term to kick all three of the Dockers' goals, with Brayshaw setting up his third after the siren with an outstanding defensive effort in the midfield and pinpoint inside 50.
With Serong fighting through attention from Jack Graham and starring, the Dockers looked to have their game in order and took a 26-point lead into the main break.
It took less than a minute for the Eagles to eat into it after half-time, however, as recruits Liam Baker and Jack Graham combined at the first centre bounce to set up Jack Williams.
It was a rare flourish, however, as the Dockers turned the screws in a quarter that was largely played in their front half, with Jackson, Jordan Clark, Michael Frederick and Pat Voss converting to extend the margin to 36 points at the last change.
After a quiet first half that netted seven disposals and no clearances, Harley Reid briefly brought the crowd to life with a soaring mark over Neil Erasmus and a much-needed goal.
The young star was quickly shifted to the backline, however, as the Eagles tried to find a spark.
Reid was joined in defence by co-captain Oscar Allen in a rarely sighted combination that was brought on by the tactical substitution of key defender Harry Edwards and a groin injury for Jeremy McGovern.
The Eagles were pushed to their limit but continued to fight in the fourth quarter.
Archer Reid kicked his first career in the third term and added his second late in the contest to build on his impressive start to the season playing as a forward-ruck.
Brady Hough had the better of his match-up with Dockers big-name signing Shai Bolton, while Ryan Maric was arguably the Eagles’ best player with a quality 28-disposal, eight-mark display down back.
The Eagles face the Giants at Engie Stadium on Sunday in round four.
WEST COAST 3.1 4.4 7.5 10.8 (68)
FREMANTLE 5.4 8.6 12.11 15.16 (106)
GOALS
West Coast: A.Reid 2, Cripps 2, J.Williams, Ryan, H.Reid, Owies, Hunt, Brockman
Fremantle: Amiss 4, Treacy 3, Dudley 2, Voss, O'Driscoll, Johnson, Jackson, Frederick, Clark
BEST
West Coast: Hough, Maric, Ginbey, Baker, Dewar, A.Reid
Fremantle: Serong, Brayshaw, Jackson, Treacy, Pearce, Amiss
INJURIES
West Coast: McGovern (groin)
Fremantle: Nil
LATE CHANGES
West Coast: Nil
Fremantle: Jaeger O'Meara (illness) and Corey Wagner (injured) replaced by James Aish and Karl Worner
SUBSTITUTES
West Coast: Elijah Hewett (replaced Harry Edwards in the third quarter)
Fremantle: James Aish (replaced Jeremy Sharp in the fourth quarter)
Crowd: 53,289 at Optus Stadium
