It's that time of year again - Western Derby XLII - and the stakes couldn't be higher for the two behemoth teams out west.
For Fremantle, a win that will signify a coming of age of sorts, when it finally draws level on wins against the establishment club (lack of flags notwithstanding - in before all you WCE flogs trot the trophy cabinet joke out) and firm our stranglehold on the minor premiership for the first time in our history.
For WCE, the chance to cling to their Top 2 berth and 2 guaranteed home finals on a year that not a lot of people gave them the chance early on. A massive top of the ladder clash as the season heats up in the run to the finals, between two teams that are desperate to find their best form leading into September.
Derbies are played with a lot of feeling at the worst of times - this one shapes up to be a battle for the ages. There will be biff. There will be carnage. There will only be one team left standing.
Hopefully, the last team standing will be ours.
The LAST FIVE TIMES
R3, 2015, Fremantle defeated West Coast Eagles 17.9 (111) to 12.9 (81) at Domain Stadium
R15, 2014, Fremantle 13.10 (88) d West Coast 11.15 (81) at Domain Stadium
R7, 2014, Fremantle 11.7 (73) d West Coast 7.12 (54) at Domain Stadium
R16, 2013, Fremantle 19.7 (121) d West Coast 14.9 (93) at Domain Stadium
R1, 2013, Fremantle 16.12 (108) d West Coast 11.14 (80) at Domain Stadium
The Last Time We Met
Perfect Fremantle showed up for Derby LXI, giving the Eagles a 9.2 (56-4) shellacking in the first term from which they never really recovered. The new attacking game plan was on full show in the first half, and what a thing of beauty it was. The margin blew out to 79 points by the third term; and, in a sign of things to come, with the massive lead came the inevitable lapse in concentration. The Eagles went on to kick the last five goals of the game and trimmed the margin to a respectable 30 points - but the result of that Derby was never in doubt from the first quarter.
Form Line (Last 5 games)
Fremantle Dockers - LWWWW
West Coast Eagles - WWWDL
There has been a lot of water under the bridge since that round 3 meeting, for both teams.
The Eagles have, in the perception of the media (and the easily brainwashed), firmed as genuine premiership favorites second only to the Hawks, after rebounding from their horror loss and disposing of teams opposing them with their potent attack and much improved team defense. Their midfield, once the butt of jokes in the competition, has lifted with an injection of youth and energy and hardness.
Whilst the hype can be cloying, some of it is deserved as they are playing well and cannot be taken lightly despite Fremantle's recent derby dominance and higher ladder position. They will be stinging from their 14-point loss to Hawthorn at home, and their confidence will be up after pushing the reigning premiers for most of their round 19 game.
On the other hand, the Dockers, despite being on top of the ladder, are still flying under the radar after a series of "unconvincing" wins mid-season. After a flying start to the year, the Dockers' premiership credentials took a hit following a big drop in their scoring ability and massive reaming by the Hawks in round 13. In spite of all the doubters, however, the boys in Purple keep grinding out the ugly wins, often with more heart than skill, and are pushing towards their first ever top finish.
There are good signs that the Dockers are on their way to recovering their early season form and maintaining their hunger for their first elusive flag. Their first quarter against St. Kilda was reminiscent of the Perfect Fremantle that dismantled the Eagles in round 3, and they will be eager to continue building on that performance as September draws near.
Key 22 Injury Doubts
It looks like the Dockers may be getting two of their most important players back - if all goes well on the recovery front - in Fyfe and Johnson. Whilst Fyfe's absence has been reasonably covered by the Fremantle midfield, Johnson's creativity, leadership, and composure from half-back has been sorely missed. He will be a massive inclusion to the side if he comes in, particularly in the light of Luke McPharlin's corked calf. It is unlikely that the match committee will be willing to risk Macca in the lead up to the finals, and if there is any doubt to his fitness, I doubt he will play.
There are doubts around whether Naitnui will be able to come back for this game, and the Eagles' ruck woes are compounded by the Sinclair injury, leaving Lycett as the lone hand against the formidable ruck combination of Griffiin and Sandilands. This weakens an area for the Eagles where the Dockers already have ascendancy, and is a massive advantage to Fremantle in the coming game. If the battle is to be won and lost in the midfield, those losses could be near fatal to their chances even before the first ball is bounced.
Tip
The Derby being the Derby is always unpredictable. On exposed form, both teams are in it up to their eyeballs; on available personnel, Fremantle have a slight edge. The game, as always, will need to be won in the middle as the Eagle's potent forward line will push our back six all day and will inevitably kick a reasonable score. Fremantle's scoring, whilst improved, has yet to reach the heights of earlier in the season and is still a point of concern leading into the finals.
Despite the hype and hoopla surrounding the Derby, there's one person not buying into it - Ross the Boss. At the end of the day, it's just 4 points - no more, no less. And he'll make sure that the boys stay focused with their eyes on the big prize. Hopefully, Perfect Fremantle come out to play on Sunday and put the game out of reach in the 1st quarter.
That said, realistically, I tip... Fremantle by 6.
Edit:
Weather Forecast for Sunday -
Top 19 C
90% chance of rain all day.
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