The Western Derby: Will the Eagles finally gain some form or will the Dockers end their bad run?

Author: Mali Seward

With the Western Derby coming up today (Sunday) questions are being asked about whether the Eagles and Freo will finally gain form coming into round three. Both teams have had a less-than-ideal start to the season, with the Dockers and Eagles sitting 17th and 18th, respectively, on the ladder.

A Season to Forget So Far for Both Sides
Neither the Dockers or Eagles lived up to expectations during the opening rounds of their 2025 campaigns. The Dockers came into the season with high hopes of making the top eight after narrowly missing out during the 2024 season; however they have come into 2025 struggling heavily with their midfield, being outmatched by much more aggressive and competitive teams such as Geelong and the Swans. The Dockers have also struggled with inconsistency, particularly in close game scenarios, such as losing five out of their last six games by less than 20 points, triggering alarm bells within the club and amongst fans.

On the other hand, the Eagles’s struggles are seasons-old. The team struggle with a significant lack of depth and defensive blunders throughout their opening rounds. However, with a hard-fought battle against reigning premiers, the Brisbane Lions, Eagles’ fans have some hope coming into round three. This fixture against Fremantle presents a golden opportunity for the team to bounce back after a difficult start to their 2025 campaign.

Last Time the Two Teams Met
The last Western Derby saw Fremantle dominate West Coast in a commanding performance, securing a 110-75 victory. Fremantle's midfield dominated the game, controlling the Eagles’ struggling side.

For West Coast, it was another blow to the team’s ‘rebuild’, but coming into this Sunday’s match, they’ll be eager to prove themselves.

With both teams desperate for a win, this clash could produce a much closer contest than last year's fixtures.

Key Players to Watch
Fremantle's Caleb Serong will be pivotal in the midfield, playing key roles in the Dockers’ opening two rounds. Fellow vice-captain Andrew Brayshaw will need to be clinical within the midfield, with Serong stating he and Brayshaw have plenty of moves to call on - either to support each other or to give their midfield a structural advantage.

On the other hand, West Coast will be heavily relying on Tim Kelly to drive their midfield alongside Harley Reid, who has faced controversy in recent weeks - copping a $1,000 fine for the offensive gesture (middle finger) towards the Brisbane crowd. Reid will be hoping to put in a positive performance after a recent string of poor results that began the 2025 season. Jeremy McGovern’s strength in defence will also be critical if the Eagles are to contain Fremantle’s attack and limit their scoring opportunities. 

The Stakes Are High
Beyond just the bragging rights, this Derby holds significance for both clubs in regaining momentum for the rest of the season, with a win being a crucial morale boost for both teams.

For Fremantle, they will be looking for a win to reassert themselves as finals contenders, whilst the Eagles will be looking for an opportunity to regroup and ease some of the intense pressure the club has been under.

With both sides desperate to bounce back from a rocky start, expect a fiery contest at Optus Stadium this afternoon. No matter who wins the derby, it’ll be a defining moment in both teams’ seasons.