Review West Coast Eagles vs Fremantle

[HoneyBadger35]

Covid-19 has taken many things from us. For some, their work. For others, their health. However, worst of all, it has deprived Eagles fans the unbridled joy that comes with dashing the hopes and dreams of a team (and fanbase) that just want so badly to have something to be proud of.

While the ban on gatherings of over two people certainly hurt the "hypothetical AFLW Premiers 2020" parade that was being arranged down High Street, it won't impact us whatsoever as we take some time to sit, a safe distance apart from one another, and enjoy a historical masterclass in being the rich, successful villains of the piece.

By now, you all know the drill. Nominate for a few days, vote for a few days, revel in Eagles history come gameday.

Will you be absurdly cruel and pick last year's 19 goals to two effort? Will you be even crueller and select Hayden Ballantyne's moment of madness in 2011, where he hit more posts than Jesse Hogan on a weekend drive? Whatever you pick, just know that we're the bad guys here, and we're damn good at it.

UTBC.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Can we just watch the Ballantyne premo-celebration on repeat?

 

[RookiePick]

Derby #1

Welcome to the AFL you Purple putzes.

Jobby has a day out with 5.3 to lead all scorers.

Play an exciting game of who the actual **** is that bloke running around for Freo!

 

[Dazzler9]

Derby #1

Welcome to the AFL you Purple putzes.

Jobby has a day out with 5.3 to lead all scorers.

Play an exciting game of who the actual **** is that bloke running around for Freo!

I second this nom

 

[06Premiers]

One of the more underrated derby was the 2nd one of 2015.
Our derpy brother was all caught in the hype of drawing level with us in Derby wins & looked a good shout after the other Derby that year.
Instead we returned the favour with a 7 goal to 1 opening quarter & then held them at bay for the rest of the game.

What made this game most memorable for me was that I won tickets to the Carlton Draught beer tent out the back of Subi. What started off as sad beers before the bounce as I was resigned to a loss, very quickly became the most glorious of happy beers as I shoved every goal up all the Purples I could find.

This game also started our current record-equalling 9 game winning streak & those beers haven't stopped since.

 

[Doashuey]

I nominate the child bashing derby just to piss off any lurking Dockers fans.

 

[HoneyBadger35]

I nominate the child bashing derby just to piss off any lurking Dockers fans.

Was that the one where Dockers vice captain Rhys Conca sprinted 15m to elbow a benched player in the back of the head, or am I getting confused?

 

[Quinz]

The greatest Derbies in terms of pure football contest have all been ones that we've lost I reckon, which is a bit irritating.

The 2007 Derby where Josh Carr was BOG and terrorised Cousins and Kerr was an incredible game to be at, the atmosphere was absolutely fever pitch and it was great. The closest I've come to actually enjoying a game that we lost to Freo, as strange as that sounds.

The Demolition Derby obviously and the 2004 Derby where Kerr kicked the GOTY were amazing as well, and the 2006 game. Somehow we lost them all.

If I had to pick one to rewatch I would consider the 2 goal debacle where we cruised around like it was dry and Freo kicked 800 points.

But I like the 2015 game because it signaled a turning point in the rivalry. They had demolished us in the first game that year but by this game they were on the slide and we were surging. We punched them in the nose in the first quarter and haven't looked back.

 

[HoneyBadger35]

The greatest Derbies in terms of pure football contest have all been ones that we've lost I reckon, which is a bit irritating.

The 2007 Derby where Josh Carr was BOG and terrorised Cousins and Kerr was an incredible game to be at, the atmosphere was absolutely fever pitch and it was great. The closest I've come to actually enjoying a game that we lost to Freo, as strange as that sounds.

The Demolition Derby obviously and the 2004 Derby where Kerr kicked the GOTY were amazing as well, and the 2006 game. Somehow we lost them all.

If I had to pick one to rewatch I would consider the 2 goal debacle where we cruised around like it was dry and Freo kicked 800 points.

But I like the 2015 game because it signaled a turning point in the rivalry. They had demolished us in the first game that year but by this game they were on the slide and we were surging. We punched them in the nose in the first quarter and haven't looked back.

$Narrative$ wise, the second derby of 2015 is the peak. 1st vs 2nd. Freo, on a roll in derbies, have the chance to level the series for the first time ever and all but lock up the minor premiership. The prelude to a possible (even likely) derby final or god forbid Grand Final.

And then of course we gave them the redheaded stepchild treatment, and have continued to do so for nine ****ing games in a row. Unreal pre-match vs post-match vibes in Eagleland.

 

[Chris_6678]

Round 3 2005 for me or the 2015 one.

 

[Ok Boomer]

Round 1 1999?

Round 22 2003 even though we lost?

Most of the close derbys have been ones we have lost aside from the Ballantyne game.

 

[ZergMinion]

$Narrative$ wise, the second derby of 2015 is the peak. 1st vs 2nd. Freo, on a roll in derbies, have the chance to level the series for the first time ever and all but lock up the minor premiership. The prelude to a possible (even likely) derby final or god forbid Grand Final.

And then of course we gave them the redheaded stepchild treatment, and have continued to do so for nine ******* games in a row. Unreal pre-match vs post-match vibes in Eagleland.

I'll be voting for that one. It was to be the parity game, the day they finally got to step out from our shadow. Then we mercilessly crushed their pitiful dreams and have kept the foot on the throat ever since.

 

[Rowan18]

The derby really is a bit of a nothing contest. Very few close games and teams have tended to go on long periods of dominance. Ballantyne after the siren is my favourite, I was watching it at Clancy's in Freo and actually thought he had kicked the goal and put my head in my hands, only to realise it hit the post

 

[HoneyBadger35]

Suggestions have centred around a few games, and I'll be dead and buried with my Premiership souvenirs before I post a Fremantle win on my channel, so the vote is now live. Voting closes Saturday at 2pm. Have at it.

 

[BigVic]

I’d vote for Round 19, 2011. The Hayden Ballantyne point after the siren. Kerr GOTY was 2003 Derby

 

[HAPPY BUDDHA]

Have not watched that Ballantyne blunder game since it was live and I ****ing LOVE reveling in that little maggots’ misery so gotta go with that please.

 

[HoneyBadger35]

A few hours left to pick which nasty bullying effort was the nastiest.

 

[garlic munchers]

I nominate the child bashing derby just to piss off any lurking Dockers fans.

the one where that bully Kickett bashed our cherub Phillip?

 

[Shuestar13]

I'm sorry, but this thread has been a tad depressing. This should be a thread of celebration and joy. Every win over that club is to be cherished. So what we lost a couple of the close and better games! The demolition derby was two shithouse teams. The first derby of 04 was an annoying one, from memory a very good game which we lost. The first one of 06, again a close one but we won the flag that year so meh. The obvious one that annoys is Round 22 2003. That was a great game and irritatingly, they simply outplayed us in the end and as result got the home final in week 1 whilst we were on the road. We both lost our respective finals and I think from that, we probably wont play them in a final round again (although the week off before the finals may change that).

Anyway, my vote is for #42 - Round 20 2015. What a sickening feeling before that match. The mere prospect of them squaring the ledger, all of the hard work our legends did in establishing our dominance over them being demolished... well it was almost too much to bear. 1 v 2. NO MCGOVERN or NAITANUI either. But something special was happening. This group were on the charge and what followed was just beautiful. A curb stomping first quarter before toying with them for the rest of the game. The beginning of the end of their "era" and the start of Simmo's ownership of Dear Leader Ross. Who could forget Hill's 4 goals, Scotty Lycett half injured playing his one and only game of the season, stepping up in Nic's absence.

It was also the game that our beloved Masto showed his hunger, and not it wasn't for a tiger, but a potato by the name of Susan (apologies to all the Susan's out there). That was... well interesting And also in that match, Alex Silvagni displaying the great morals of that club with his hit on Cripps. Ah yes, their beloved players are above such acts of thuggery remember...

All in all, a brilliant day and what has followed has been amazing

 

[kaII]

Just watching the last five minutes of that 2011 game. God the umpiring was terrible.

 

[squashface]

Fun fact about the Ballantyne game:

I’ve never actually seen it. I was on a snowboarding holiday at Falls Creek at the time and there was no TV in the lodge so I had to listen to it on the radio by the window because it was the only place I had any sort of signal.

 

[Shuestar13]

And further to my previous post, I have compiled a list of the more memorable (IMO) matches. The number corresponds with the Derby #

#1 Round 7, 1995
No explanation required. A vicious, brutal display of dominance. Our ownership of them was established there and then. Those legends of our club and Mick excelled that day. I was only 7 and sadly don't have a full recall of the match... but watching it since provides much joy.

#6 Round 18, 1997
This was probably one of the only early derbies of "consequence". In what was an incredibly close season, we entered the match in 9th spot on 36 points. They were one spot behind, also on 36 points. Three teams ahead of us on percentage only and the five teams above them all just a game ahead on 40 points. Crazy. Yes, Fremantle actually were in contention for a finals position . From memory it was a cold, wet day. Scores were deadlocked at half time, but our defence lead by McIntosh and McKenna ground them into the mud in the second half. Kemp, Matera and Lewis all superb. They ended up missing the finals by half a game. Such a shame

#11 Round 6, 2000
After the dark day in late 1999, it was time to put them back in their place immediately. The first half of the 2000 season under Judge was a wild ride of highs and lows before things went to complete shit (and stayed like that for the next 18 months). This match was one of the highs! 117 points thank you very much. A club record loss for them which stood for 18 years and remains the record loss in a derby of course. Scotty Cummings with 10!

#15 Round 1, 2002
The first game of a new era for both clubs (Woosha and Connolly). A high scoring, entertaining match. Troy Wilson with half a dozen and Phil Matera with four. Things were looking up already

#20 Round 21, 2004
A great memory, this one. They had annoyingly gained some ascendancy in winning the previous two derbies in high standard contests. Late 2004 and we had been building momentum throughout the second half of the season after being in big trouble at the halfway mark. Alas though this was considered to be an early "final", both teams on 44 points with them sitting in 6th spot, us outside the eight in 9th. If I recall, their supporters were oh so confident of a win and securing their second consecutive finals appearance. Sadly for them, their confidence was misplaced. An 8 goal drubbing which should have been comfortably more but for poor kicking. No Cousins, so Fletcher stepped up with 38 possessions (I think that was his best season), Judd and Kerr stars also. We won the next week, they lost. Missed the finals by a game. Such a shame... again

#21 Round 3, 2005 & #22 Round 20, 2005
Both 2005 derbies were excellent fun. The first in front of a rabid, feral crowd, we had nearly kicked ourselves out of it in the first half before swamping them in the second. Only a few late goals brought the end margin back to single figures.

And the second.. Friday Night Football. Heritage round, the first and only Derby or Showdown to be on a Friday night to date. We were sitting comfortably on top of the ladder, having established ourselves as a genuine contender. They were battling for the lower reaches of the eight. In front of the nation, we did what we do best to them. Dominate. By 3QT, the margin was 73 points, but some consolation goals in the last meant the final result was 48 points. Them losing both derbies that year hurt them, they missed the finals again by half a game. Terribly sad

#33 Round 8, 2011
Things were in a bad way... 7 consecutive losses to them, only 1 win from 10 derbies since the end of 2005 . After the horror show that was 2010, we had started 2011 with some renewed optimism. Still though, a tough challenge awaited and when we lost Embley and Kerr right before the match IIRC, hope had faded. What followed was a fantastic display. We stood up to be counted and turned the tide back our way. NN was outstanding, a great team effort. Unfortunately, was the beginning of the end for poor old Harves...

#35 Round 9, 2012
It was a bright sunny day, perfect conditions for football. One would hope to see some quick ball movement, plenty of attacking play and lots of goals. Unfortunately for all concerned, Dear Leader Ross had taken charge and as we well know, suggestions of attacking football are the work of the devil in his mind. Immediately he attempted to impose his will... the first half a dire spectacle, our poor kicking keeping them in it. Nevertheless, we stepped up in the second half and ended up with another 48 point win, but should have been much more! A then record low score in a derby... 5.6.36! Go Ro$$!

#47 Round 6, 2018
We won the first at Subi. The last at Subi. Now time for the first at the brilliant new stadium. In what can only be described as an act of charity (as they certainly did not earn it on merit), our beloved VFL gave them the first home derby at Optus. As it turns out, it was a nice decision. Like in 2017, early season optimism for our rivals and concerningly, they jumped out the gates to a 20 point QT lead. This team are made of stern stuff however, and what followed was a hard fought struggle with us flexing our muscle and getting on top. A couple of cheap consolation goals at the end but it was a stadium of purple tears as their hated enemies Dalgliesh and Margetts apparently "umpired us to a win". Much laughter and joy after this one. We all know what happened next... on all fronts

#50 Round 16, 2019
Last but not least, the half century of clashes with the purple foe. It was a wet and dismal night - perfect conditions for Dear Leader Ross's role players and "effort" givers. Unfortunately, you do actually require some semblance of skill to play our great game. And in what can be described as a work of art, our team destroyed the rabble in the space of an hour. Bliss. Sadly in what turned out to be the last derby for Dear Leader, it is only fitting that he started and finished with a record low score. 2.19.31. What beautiful numbers indeed!

TLDR, but it was good to reflect. Let's hope the domination keeps going!

 

[squashface]

And further to my previous post, I have compiled a list of the more memorable (IMO) matches. The number corresponds with the Derby #

#1 Round 7, 1995
No explanation required. A vicious, brutal display of dominance. Our ownership of them was established there and then. Those legends of our club and Mick excelled that day. I was only 7 and sadly don't have a full recall of the match... but watching it since provides much joy.

#6 Round 18, 1997
This was probably one of the only early derbies of "consequence". In what was an incredibly close season, we entered the match in 9th spot on 36 points. They were one spot behind, also on 36 points. Three teams ahead of us on percentage only and the five teams above them all just a game ahead on 40 points. Crazy. Yes, Fremantle actually were in contention for a finals position . From memory it was a cold, wet day. Scores were deadlocked at half time, but our defence lead by McIntosh and McKenna ground them into the mud in the second half. Kemp, Matera and Lewis all superb. They ended up missing the finals by half a game. Such a shame

#11 Round 6, 2000
After the dark day in late 1999, it was time to put them back in their place immediately. The first half of the 2000 season under Judge was a wild ride of highs and lows before things went to complete shit (and stayed like that for the next 18 months). This match was one of the highs! 117 points thank you very much. A club record loss for them which stood for 18 years and remains the record loss in a derby of course. Scotty Cummings with 10!

#15 Round 1, 2002
The first game of a new era for both clubs (Woosha and Connolly). A high scoring, entertaining match. Troy Wilson with half a dozen and Phil Matera with four. Things were looking up already

#20 Round 21, 2004
A great memory, this one. They had annoyingly gained some ascendancy in winning the previous two derbies in high standard contests. Late 2004 and we had been building momentum throughout the second half of the season after being in big trouble at the halfway mark. Alas though this was considered to be an early "final", both teams on 44 points with them sitting in 6th spot, us outside the eight in 9th. If I recall, their supporters were oh so confident of a win and securing their second consecutive finals appearance. Sadly for them, their confidence was misplaced. An 8 goal drubbing which should have been comfortably more but for poor kicking. No Cousins, so Fletcher stepped up with 38 possessions (I think that was his best season), Judd and Kerr stars also. We won the next week, they lost. Missed the finals by a game. Such a shame... again

#21 Round 3, 2005 & #22 Round 20, 2005
Both 2005 derbies were excellent fun. The first in front of a rabid, feral crowd, we had nearly kicked ourselves out of it in the first half before swamping them in the second. Only a few late goals brought the end margin back to single figures.

And the second.. Friday Night Football. Heritage round, the first and only Derby or Showdown to be on a Friday night to date. We were sitting comfortably on top of the ladder, having established ourselves as a genuine contender. They were battling for the lower reaches of the eight. In front of the nation, we did what we do best to them. Dominate. By 3QT, the margin was 73 points, but some consolation goals in the last meant the final result was 48 points. Them losing both derbies that year hurt them, they missed the finals again by half a game. Terribly sad

#33 Round 8, 2011
Things were in a bad way... 7 consecutive losses to them, only 1 win from 10 derbies since the end of 2005 . After the horror show that was 2010, we had started 2011 with some renewed optimism. Still though, a tough challenge awaited and when we lost Embley and Kerr right before the match IIRC, hope had faded. What followed was a fantastic display. We stood up to be counted and turned the tide back our way. NN was outstanding, a great team effort. Unfortunately, was the beginning of the end for poor old Harves...

#35 Round 9, 2012
It was a bright sunny day, perfect conditions for football. One would hope to see some quick ball movement, plenty of attacking play and lots of goals. Unfortunately for all concerned, Dear Leader Ross had taken charge and as we well know, suggestions of attacking football are the work of the devil in his mind. Immediately he attempted to impose his will... the first half a dire spectacle, our poor kicking keeping them in it. Nevertheless, we stepped up in the second half and ended up with another 48 point win, but should have been much more! A then record low score in a derby... 5.6.36! Go Ro$$!

#47 Round 6, 2018
We won the first at Subi. The last at Subi. Now time for the first at the brilliant new stadium. In what can only be described as an act of charity (as they certainly did not earn it on merit), our beloved VFL gave them the first home derby at Optus. As it turns out, it was a nice decision. Like in 2017, early season optimism for our rivals and concerningly, they jumped out the gates to a 20 point QT lead. This team are made of stern stuff however, and what followed was a hard fought struggle with us flexing our muscle and getting on top. A couple of cheap consolation goals at the end but it was a stadium of purple tears as their hated enemies Dalgliesh and Margetts apparently "umpired us to a win". Much laughter and joy after this one. We all know what happened next... on all fronts

#50 Round 16, 2019
Last but not least, the half century of clashes with the purple foe. It was a wet and dismal night - perfect conditions for Dear Leader Ross's role players and "effort" givers. Unfortunately, you do actually require some semblance of skill to play our great game. And in what can be described as a work of art, our team destroyed the rabble in the space of an hour. Bliss. Sadly in what turned out to be the last derby for Dear Leader, it is only fitting that he started and finished with a record low score. 2.19.31. What beautiful numbers indeed!

TLDR, but it was good to reflect. Let's hope the domination keeps going!

This post gave me a stiffy

 

[HoneyBadger35]

With nearly 50% of the vote, the 2015 first vs second game has romped home.

As a warm up for tomorrow’s game day, and to make up for bloody YouTube pulling down last week’s poll winner, here’s this week’s runner up - Round 18, 2011 aka the Hayden Ballantyne game.

 

[HoneyBadger35]

Fun fact about the Ballantyne game:

I’ve never actually seen it. I was on a snowboarding holiday at Falls Creek at the time and there was no TV in the lodge so I had to listen to it on the radio by the window because it was the only place I had any sort of signal.

You’re in luck.

Just watching the last five minutes of that 2011 game. God the umpiring was terrible.

It was a rigging of the highest order, even the final passage of play. There’s a kick that goes about five metres, that isn’t even marked by Auskick standards, which is what allows Freo to go inside fifty that last time. Then Ballantyne is inside the field of play and off his line for a deliberate out of bounds kick.

Makes it sweeter tbh.