Roar Guru
The Derby heats up for the 38th instalment as the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers go head to head in what should be one of the best Derbies in recent years. Join our live scores and blog right here from 4.40pm AEST.
Form suggests this should be one tight battle even if the ladder doesn’t look that way.
West Coast has gone through a resurgence of form in the last three weeks after strong performances against front-runners Hawthorn and Essendon whilst beating a strong Crows outfit.
Fremantle meanwhile has been pottering along quite nicely under Ross Lyons reign in charge.
With the additions of Pavlich and Sandilands from last week, the Dockers play could rise to a whole new level.
You can’t look into this game without thinking of the elite ruck battle. Cox, Natanui vs Sandilands and Clarke.
If the Freo pair can stem the influence of the Eagles big men it should go a big way in winning the game.
The Derby is often known for huge clashes be it old school players like Jakovich or new blood like Pavlich.
This is huge for the whole state of Western Australia. You can bet not one ticket will be available come game time for this epic encounter.
A big thing that stands out in this game is the first ranked Fremantle defense which is going up against perhaps the most potent forward line in the AFL (when they kick straight!!).
With key cog Luke McPharlin out the Dockers defense will be put to the test against Coleman hopeful Josh Kennedy and his crew of Darling, LeCras, Cox and Hill.
One thing that I’m sure bugs all West Coasts fans is the Eagles inability to kick an effective ball inside 50.
This year it seems they are just throwing kicks on the boot anywhere inside 50 which doesn’t give their forwards a chance.
Turnovers today will kill West Coast against the top defense. Effective disposal is the key.
Even with Luke McPharlin out I believe Freo can get enough turnovers to destroy the West Coast attack. Freo by 24 for mine.