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West Coast have recorded a scrappy win in the Western Derby over the Fremantle Dockers, to sneak back into the top eight at the end of the round.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Fremantle Dockers 5.14.44
West Coast Eagles 11.8.74
A high stakes Derby in the wild west to close the round, as the Fremantle Dockers face the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 4:40pm AEST (2:40pm AWST).
There’s always plenty to play for whenever the two WA sides face off, but this afternoon’s contest will have even more tension than usual.
With just six games to play after this one, both teams sit just outside the top eight.
The Eagles look the more likely to play finals, with only percentage separating them from eighth spot at the start of the round.
The Dockers have a bit more work to do, sitting in twelfth with a 7-8 record.
They did however manage to break a four game losing streak with a narrow win over North Melbourne last week, thanks to the heroics of debutant Ryan Nyhuis.
Although there’s still a fair amount of time left in the season, and it’s maybe a little early to say that this afternoon’s loser is out of the finals race, it certainly will make things a lot harder.
Both teams have some big ins for this game.
The Dockers welcome back David Mundy and Lee Spurr from injury, with Tom Sheridan and Brady Grey out of the side.
For the Eagles, Will Schofield, Chris Masten and Jackson Nelson are inclusions, but the most exciting selection decision is the return of the reigning Coleman medallist in Josh J Kennedy. Scott Lycett, Malcom Karpany and Eric Mackenzie miss through injury, while Sharrod Wellingham was omitted.
Prediction
I really had to think about this one. While the Eagles’ recent form is certainly stronger, they haven’t been all that convincing over the season.
West Coast’s midfield, although it has plenty of quality, has looked slow at times this season, and the Dockers will certainly have a pace advantage. The potency of Michael Walters and the Hill brothers for Fremantle would be a real worry for Adam Simpson.
But in pretty much every other part of the ground the Eagles look a bit stronger, and altogether more experienced. Even if the Dockers get on top at times I’d expect the more mature team to run out the game better.
West Coast by 10 points.
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