Where and when: Optus Stadium, Sunday, August 15, 3.10pm

TV: Live on 7 in Perth, Fox Footy and Kayo

Last time we met: West Coast 20.12 (132) def. Fremantle 11.7 (73) at Optus Stadium, round seven, 2021

The Eagles bounced back from a disappointing loss in Geelong in fine style with a 59-point victory that extended their RAC Derby winning streak to 11 games. West Coast was missing a host of key players but dominated the midfield battle after half-time, with Tim Kelly taking home his first Glendinning-Allan Medal after racking up 42 disposals and 13 clearances, with excellent support from Dom Sheed (30 disposals) and Andrew Gaff (32, one goal). Up front, Josh Kennedy (four), Jack Darling and Jake Waterman (three each) combined for 10 goals as the Eagles saluted in front of empty stands. 

07:40

Last time we met: Fremantle

Check out the highlights from our last clash against the Dockers in Round 7

Form: (most recent first)

West Coast LLWWL

Fremantle LWLLW

What it means for the Eagles: Back-to-back losses to Collingwood and Melbourne has left little margin for error in the finals race and to be guaranteed of a seventh-straight September campaign the Eagles must defeat Fremantle and Brisbane on the run home. But the team’s entire focus will be on this week, and recapturing the intensity and freedom that inspired a desperate late fightback in the nine-point defeat to the Demons on Monday night.

The stat: West Coast holds a 32-20 win-loss record against Fremantle.

Brad Sheppard carries the RAC Derby trophy from the field after last year's clash

The match-up: Nic Naitanui v Sean Darcy

There was no decisive winner in Naitanui’s battle with fellow All Australian candidate Max Gawn on Monday night, although the Eagles superstar wielded a huge influence in the late surge towards an unlikely victory following the lightning delay. He will be priming himself for another crucial match-up in round 22, this time against Darcy, who is an emerging ruck force and can get dangerous up forward with his marking talent and ability to hit the scoreboard (11 goals, 12 behinds this season). Naitanui’s leaping ability and deft tap work at centre clearances was telling in the first RAC Derby, however Darcy held his own and equalled the big Eagle with nine hit-outs to advantage. If either big man gets on top it will be a significant advantage to their respective midfields.

Liam Ryan and Luke Shuey are back from injury for the derby

It’s a big week for: Luke Shuey

It has been a frustrating stop-start season for the brilliant midfielder, who has managed just five games due to soft-tissue setbacks. But after overcoming a calf strain the skipper will be crossing his fingers that a run of bad luck is behind him as he attempts to lead West Coast back into September football. Shuey will likely be on managed minutes, but his explosiveness and experience around the ball will be welcome in the pivotal midfield battle. 

Big call: Liam Ryan to kick an equal-career best four goals on his return from a hamstring strain.