It has been a different build-up to the AFLW RAC Derby but first-year coach Daniel Pratt hopes some off-field education during a week in lockdown will pay dividends against Fremantle.

Pratt will take charge of his second match after being unable to see his players until this weekend as the WA community rallied to suppress the latest COVID-19 threat by staying home.

But the Eagles have taken plenty of learnings after reviewing their season-opening loss to two-time AFLW premier Adelaide, and are looking for a four-quarter effort against the Dockers at Fremantle Oval.

“In some ways them (the players) back at home has helped the off-field education. It’s just whether that translates onto the field for longer, that’s what we’ll find out on Sunday,” Pratt said.

West Coast and Fremantle squared off last month in a scratch match at Mineral Resources Park, with the emerging Eagles taking an early lead before being overhauled in the second half by a seasoned outfit.

“We were really happy with the performance of the girls that day,” Pratt said.

“That was the first opportunity we were pressure-tested with some of the new things we’ve put in place – our gamestyle and our brand – so really happy with that performance.

“Similarly on Saturday, (against Adelaide) albeit only for the first half we’re getting it to a position where we are able to push that for longer and longer in games.

“It’s good for us to come up against another opposition like Freo who are probably the form team of last year and no different to start the season.

“We’ll get pressure-tested again which is really good for our girls to see where we’re at.”

Fremantle has been the second-highest scoring side in the past two AFLW seasons and stopping the Dockers' potent forward line including Gemma Houghton, Roxy Roux and Sabreena Duffy looms as a key focus for West Coast.

“Not letting it down there is a great start and stopping people getting involved,” Pratt said.

“The way I’ve looked to work with our backline coach who has been fantastic, Andrew Di Loreto, he’s brought some of his beliefs to the backline how we should defend and building a system that can cater for individuals or collectives.

“We’ve been really happy with how the girls have progressed with that. Obviously being relatively new, there’s going to be some periods where they don’t get it right.

“Like the rest of our gameplan and brand we’re just looking for more consistency than a half of football, which we’ve been able to put together in our last two hitouts.

“It’s going to be a great challenge and great learning for some of our younger backs.”

Pratt was hopeful star skipper Emma Swanson would be available after contributing to the firefighting effort in Perth’s north-east during a terrible week for the community.

The RAC Derby will raise funds for the bushfire appeal, with RAC donating $2000 per goal and $500 per mark during Sunday’s game to the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund.

“I think Swanny has got today off, so that’s a good result for us so she can freshen up,” Pratt said.

“Trent (Cooper, Fremantle coach) is probably in the same position with (Evie) Gooch that things can change rapidly, so like him we’re hoping for the rain, but I’m sure everyone with the donations that are going to come from the RAC are hoping for no rain and goals and marks.

“Obviously if we can get Emma to play this week that would be fantastic, but the fires are obviously the priority for the community at the moment, so if she can’t play for that circumstance then she’ll go do her job for the community.”

Teams for Sunday's match will be announced at 2.30pm AWST on Saturday.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the State government no supporters will be allowed to attend Sunday’s match, which will be broadcast live on 7mate in Perth, as well as Fox Footy, Kayo and the Official AFL Live app.