In Western Derby 45, the West Coast Eagles have defeated the Fremantle Dockers by 41 points.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
West Coast Eagles 16.7.103
Fremantle Dockers 9.8.62
The Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles go head to head tonight in the biggest West Australian match of the year – its derby time folks! Join The Roar from 8:10pm AEST for scores and a live blog of the match.
It’s undoubtedly one of the biggest rivalries in football, and tonight, with both teams out looking for redemption of sorts, it’s set to be a classic.
Fremantle are looking to bury the shambolic year that was 2016 as best they can, and so far look to be right on track.
Over the last two weeks the Dockers have toughed out two incredibly tough wins by less than a goal, following on from a wonderful victory over the reigning premiers just prior.
West Coast have been great at home, but stumbled badly against Hawthorn last week in a match many people thought they would dominate.
They too sit with three wins and two losses, and will be itching to jump ahead of their hometown rivals.
Fremantle’s success begins with Nat Fyfe – missing most of last year through injury, the Dockers superstar skipper has not missed a beat in the current season, and I’m expecting him to really remind us just how good he is tonight.
Lachie Neale has found form after a slow start as well, and will certainly need to play a role if the Dockers are to win.
The Fremantle forward line is looking far better than it has in recent times with the acquisitions of Cam McCarthy and Shane Kersten.
The disciplined West Coast defence will have their hands full with the new look side, and a fascinating battle awaits.
Speedster Stephen Hill is out injured, replaced by promising youngster Harley Balic.
Josh J Kennedy is the man for the Eagles. The competition’s best goalkicker can make a big statement tonight and if he does, it’s hard to see the West Coast losing.
Elliot Yeo is one to keep an eye on – the sometimes inconsistent utility has been brilliant this season and looks ready to take the next step into stardom.
Luke Shuey will look to control the middle will Andrew Gaff will give plenty of run.
Mark LeCras needs a big game after a quieter start to the year, especially with injury forcing Jamie Cripps out of the team.
Will Schofield and Jackson Nelson are the other two outs for the Eagles, with debutant Kurt Mutimer coming in along with Sam Mitchell and Jon Giles.
Prediction
A real toss of the coin here. Something’s telling me the Dockers might sneak home in a thriller.
Fremantle by 3.
Will it be the Fremantle Dockers or West Coast Eagles who become toast of the town tonight? Join The Roar from 8:10pm AEST to find out – follow our live blog and join the discussion!
theboss
Guest
SmithhatesMaxwell... West coast have a good record at the Adelaide Oval in the last two years, having won 3 of 4 games they have played there (one win and one loss against Adelaide and two wins v the power) In fact they have won 5 of their last 6 there.
Don Freo
Guest
Are you going to live in the past decade this season? Strange that anyone would defend Anon.
Wayne
Guest
Based on your number of flags in the past decade?
Don Freo
Guest
Quite a bit stronger than your Swannies, home or away.
SmithHatesMaxwell
Guest
Get weak at the knees going interstate.
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report
Mattician6x6
Guest
Freo back were they belong, good to see simmo changed our gameplay up a bit. Port next week is a massive test
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
FULL TIME The Eagles win by 41 points over the Dockers! WCE 16.7.103 Frem 9.8.62 Match summary to come.
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND FREO Garrick Ibbotson has been moved to the forward line, and he marks on a lead about 45m out. His shot is pretty decent off the boot, but it slides right. Minor score. Q4 32' WCE 16.7.103 Frem 9.8.62
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL WCE Mark LeCras gets one back! As the man on the mark, he smothers a kick out from the back pocket, then soccers it through for number three! Q4 31' WCE 16.7.103 Frem 9.7.61
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL FREO Michael Johnson takes a mark at half-forward, but laziness from the Eagles results in a 50m penalty and a shot on goal. He slams it home! Q4 29' WCE 15.7.97 Frem 9.7.61
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND FREO Sheridan's scrappy attempt goes through for a minor score. Junk time now. Q4 28' WCE 15.7.97 Frem 8.7.55
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND FREO Gee, lost opportunity there. Fyfe drops one in front of goal that he'd take 99 times out of 100, so Crozier is forced to rove and snap in a rush, and he misses. Q4 27' WCE 15.7.97 Frem 8.6.54
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL WCE Bit of biff now! Fyfe is caught holding the ball about 48m out by Priddis, but a bit of this'n'that behind the play leads to a 50m penalty and the easiest of kicks. Margin back out past 40. Q4 24' WCE 15.7.97 Frem 8.5.53
FreoFan
Roar Rookie
Poor Walters. That wasn't even 10 metres let alone 15!
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
BEHIND FREO Mundy gathers a loose ball inside 50 and handballs to Kersten running towards goals - strangely he steps away to make the angle slighter, and misses. Q4 21' WCE 14.7.91 Frem 8.5.53
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Eagles slowing it down now. There's a lot of boys working very hard to find space and take uncontested marks. Elliot Yeo is up to 30 touches and 14 marks, and he's worked for all of them. Q4 19' WCE 14.7.91 Frem 8.4.52
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
Eagles now working the ball around the ground with those wonderful foot skills as the Dockers try to close - they do so and Sheridan gets the cutoff mark in defense. Q4 16' WCE 14.7.91 Frem 8.4.52
FreoFan
Roar Rookie
Well this was a disappointing night. I said early in the week we couldn't let them get a fast start. We've been more competitive since but not exactly brilliant.
Shannon Russell
Roar Guru
GOAL FREO Balic roves a pack cleverly and manages to get a shoe on it right before he's taken over the line - the slightest of angles but he's squeezed it through! Good stuff. Q4 13' WCE 14.7.91 Frem 8.4.52