West Coast broke their western derby hoodoo and boosted their top-two hopes in the process with a shock 24-point win over Fremantle in Sunday’s clash at Domain Stadium.
The injury-hit Eagles entered the match having lost 15 of the past 19 derbies, including the past six.
But a six-goal blitz inside the opening 15 minutes and a four-goal haul to Ross Glendinning medallist Josh Hill helped set up the 15.14 (104) to 11.14 (80) victory, despite the absence of star trio Nic Naitanui, Jeremy McGovern, and Mark LeCras.
Dockers defender Alex Silvagni faces the prospect of missing the start of the finals after being reported for a crude elbow on Jamie Cripps midway through the second quarter.
Cripps was left with an injured jaw after copping the swinging elbow from Silvagni in an incident that occurred 80m off the ball.
The young Eagles forward was clearly distressed while being assessed on the bench, but he managed to return in the third quarter.
West Coast defender Will Schofield might also be set for a stint on the sidelines after being subbed out with a knee injury in the third term.
Sunday’s result means West Coast edges ahead 22-20 in the western derby ledger, but more importantly it puts them in the box seat to nail down second spot.
The Eagles will seal second spot if they beat the Bulldogs (home), Adelaide (away), and St Kilda (home) in the final three rounds.
Fremantle are still likely to win the minor premiership despite their slip-up.
The Dockers dominated the second half on the back of Nat Fyfe’s brilliance and Aaron Sandilands’ ruck dominance.
But West Coast managed to snare enough goals against the run of play to secure an overdue victory against their arch rivals.
West Coast were keen to make a fast start to the match after conceding the first 11 goals in their round-three derby loss.
And their wishes were answered as key forwards Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling weaved their magic early.
The star spearheads pulled down a series of big marks and kicked one goal each to give West Coast a 44-9 edge at the first break.
Fyfe tallied just two disposals in the opening quarter, but the Brownlow medal favourite shot to prominence in the second half as he, David Mundy, and Sandilands willed their side into the match.
Fremantle closed the margin from 41 points down to 17 late in the match.
But a late goal to Darling sealed the deal in front of 41,959 fans.
Don Freo
Guest
Feeling a bit fragile, Nev?
Nev
Guest
get a life
Nev
Guest
no different in having to put up with (look at me i know everthing Johno ) and (dont argue i'll win every argument Don Freo)
Don Freo
Guest
You are quoting Mitchell on the issue of fair play? Mitchell? Sam Mitchell? Sam "The kneecap" Mitchell? Ha! Ha! Ha! What a character reference!
Dean N
Guest
Fremantle midfielder Nick Suban could be slapped with a four-game suspension today for clawing at Hawthorn star Sam Mitchell's face. ... "He actually had his thumb in my mouth which I did find a little bit unusual," Mitchell told Channel 7. Too bad Masten doesn't play for Hawthorn..
Arthur Pagonis
Roar Guru
I think West Coast showed their hand when they asked for a $1000 fine after Masten was found guilty. In the sentencing phase, the emphasis is just on the sentence. The AFL had asked for 4 weeks. When the Tribunal gave 2 weeks, that was it for West Coast's lawyers, when in fact they should be screaming about this.. If I had been West Coast's lawyers I would have gone over and over the replay of the footage. The ball is nowhere in sight. Suban is riding Masten in to the ground. Suban initiates the contact, then rubs his nose in the dirt. Suban has a reputation as a serial offender. Who should get sent out...Suban or Masten?
jax
Guest
"Expect Masten the filth to cop a lot of boos and comments and he deserves everything he gets!" Show me the video proof of the bite I'll agree with an increased penalty. You cant produce the proof but that doesn't stop you typing this vitriol. It was one man words against another. Suban has already been caught putting his fingers in Mithcell's mouth so he has form. I don't think Masten had ever been reported before has he? There are two sides to every story. Here's the image of Suban's fingers in Mitchell's mouth very early in the 2013 GF. http://images.watoday.com.au/2013/09/30/4790555/fpp-NICK_SUBAN-420x237.jpg
Nev
Guest
Dean N just google 2013 grand final Nick Suban vs Sam Mitchell surprise surprise suban got his fingers in Mitchells mouth and got rubbed out for it theres also a photo , i cant beleive tge tribunal has fallen for this surely west coast will appeal this
Dean N
Guest
Agreed. Suban attacks Masten, puts him in a headlock and Masten gets suspended. It's a freakin joke!!
Don Freo
Guest
Kel...on the evidence of that attitude, it pretty clear you would have been booing a certain Australian of the year. A really worthy opinion to share. I'll bet you enrich your neighbourhood.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Good to see the WC fans endorse that sort of behaviour. And first class sledgers to boot.
Nifty Kel
Roar Rookie
Seriously have a really good look at the footage its an absolute farce cant beleive a grown man could squeal like this probably still lives at home with mum
13th Man
Guest
How is Suban a dirty player? Masten is the filth that bit him! You could see the bite marks. Masten should go join Suarez in the dog kennel!
13th Man
Guest
Masten got 2 weeks Are you serious. Suarez got 12 weeks! This is a joke The MRP is ridiculous! Freo should appeal this ridiculous decision. You should not bite someone and get such a soft penalty. Expect Masten the filth to cop a lot of boos and comments and he deserves everything he gets!
Freo As
Guest
You're not the brightest bulb in the tree are you? Other than "first to the ball" being bollox, see r3 derby, stats for this game and so on, there was no complaints from me, just the observation on the Weasles fans appreciation of the umpies effort.
Wilson
Roar Guru
NOPE
Arthur Pagonis
Roar Guru
apologies if I talk too much and leave phone and address guys. Not concerned guys. Love the game, love Freo, love the Eagles ...and as long as one of them wins the whole deal, I'll be on cloud 9. Don't love the umps. Have written to wayne Campbell and gillon about the nonsensical approach of making 4 whistle-stops in 3 minutes as being counter-productive. They get it. But the Derby was over-umpired. Most calls were right...but the 10% that weren't didn't need a whistle if you follow my thinking.
Don Freo
Guest
Can you quote one whinge? Can you find one?
Don Freo
Guest
I doubt Artie reads anyone else's comments.
Nev
Guest
Nice try Don you've done nothing but whinge since this post went up but you no I can understand your frustration Don you Freo mob have done well to stick with your team thru all these frustrating times and maybe this is your year if it happens it'll be good so maybe then you'll settle down and not be soo touchy on these posts