Fremantle unleashed a ferocious tackling display to beat crosstown rival West Coast by 45 points in the first AFLW Western Derby at Optus Stadium on Saturday.

In a historic day for WA football, the undefeated Dockers beat the Eagles 9.6 (60) to 2.3 (15) in front of 35,185 fans, quickly establishing themselves as one of the form teams of the competition.

It was a powerful display from Trent Cooper's players, whose chemistry after three full seasons was evident against the West Coast newcomers, who went inside 50 just 19 times and fell to 0-2.

Tough Fremantle midfielder Kiara Bowers was the star, laying a massive 18 tackles and finishing with 13 disposals and four clearances to be a unanimous choice as the first AFLW Derby medallist.

The onballer laid an incredible 11 tackles in the first quarter to set the tone and held former teammate and star Eagle Dana Hooker to just one possession before quarter-time.

In a fiery contest between the rival teams, Fremantle was harder defensively and more organised with the ball. Its final score was the highest of the AFLW season so far.

Sabreena Duffy (one goal) was well held after her round one heroics, but other Dockers lifted, with Roxy Roux, Jasmin Stewart and Katie-Jayne Grieve all kicking two goals.

First-year star Roux was exciting in her second game, flying for marks and handling the ball cleanly, while Gemma Houghton continued a fine start to the season.

West Coast captain Emma Swanson (14 and three clearances) led her team well before leaving the ground in the fourth quarter.

Hooker worked her way into the game after quarter-time to finish with 13 touches, including a game-high 11 contested, and four inside 50s.

WEST COAST      0.0.  1.1.  1.2.  2.3 (15)
FREMANTLE       2.2.  5.3.  7.6.  9.6 (60)

GOALS
West Coast: Dowrick, Tester
Fremantle: Stewart 2, Grieve 2, Roux 2, O'Sullivan, Houghton, Duffy 

BEST
West Coast: Swanson, Laurie, Smith, N Kelly, Cameron  
Fremantle: Bowers, Roux, Stewart, Grieve, O'Sullivan, Houghton, Gooch

INJURIES
West Coast: Nil
Fremantle: Nil

Reports: Nil

Crowd: 35,185 at Optus Stadium