[LIVE WATCH!]Fremantle Dockers vs West Coast Eagles Live Free TV Channel 26 July 2024

Fremantle Dockers vs West Coast Eagles Preview & Tips - Purple to reign in AFL Western Derby

Fremantle Dockers vs West Coast Eagles Preditions

Fremantle lost the Western Derby earlier this year, but I'm expecting them to take the points in this one. With West Coast struggling, it should be a case of by how much.

Fremantle average 90 points in 5 games against bottom 4 teams this season

4 of the last 7 Dockers wins have been by 40+ points

3 of the last 4 West Coast losses this season and in the Western Derby have been by 40+ points

Freo have the best Disposal Efficiency in the league at 75.9% whilst also being 2nd in Total Clearances

Head to Head

Western Derby 58 earlier this season was won unexpectedly and convincingly by West Coast, breaking a five-game win streak from the Dockers.

West Coast hold a 33-25 record over Fremantle since the inception of the contest but since the beginning of the 2019 season it has been even footing with each team taking five victories each.

Fremantle Dockers Form

Fremantle carried on where they left off against the Demons last weekend. Following their 92 point win against them in Round 12, Freo put 116 points past their opponent to take a 50 point victory at home keeping them in the top 4 for another week.

They have now won 5 of their last 7 averaging 100.2 points in the process which is amazing for a team that for so long have been unable to worry scoreboard attendants in the AFL.

To add salt to the wounds of their opponents the Dockers have still managed to defend well, allowing the 2nd fewest points of any team in the League through 18 games.

Fremantle Dockers Team News

Captain Alex Pearce returned to play with a plate in his arm but has suffered another fracture in a new spot and now will need to have another surgery to repair the break.

Matthew Johnson will need another week to recover from a stress fracture in his foot while Neil Erasmus could be up for selection in the main team following concussion protocols stemming from a knock in the WAFL.

Fremantle Dockers Team List

B: L.Ryan, J.Draper, B.Cox

HB: B.Walker, H.Chapman, J.Clark

C: J.O’Meara, N.Fyfe, H.Young

HF: S.Sturt, S.Switkowski, M.Frederick

F: J.Treacy, J.Amiss, L.Jackson

FOLL: S.Darcy, C.Serong, A.Brayshaw - C

I/C: J.Aish, J.Sharp, B.Banfield, C.Wagner, T.Emmett

EMG: C.Simpson, E.Hughes, P.Voss

In: J.Draper, T.Emmett

Out: A.Pearce (Injured), M.Walters (Injured)

West Coast Eagles Form

The Eagles seemed to have been building toward something following their win over Freo in the first Derby of the season back in round 6 but failed to go much further having won only 1 of the 12 games played since then.

Players have been in and out of the line up due to injury and suspension which has played it’s part. Together with the weird situation around the sacking of Premiership coach Adam Simpson mid season it seems most of this team are holding out for the end of the season.

They were absolutely railed by the Saints last weekend and have allowed their opponents to score over 106 points in 4 of their last 5 games.

West Coast Eagles Team News

Jeremy McGovern will need to pass a fitness test to be cleared to play following chest injuries. Reports from the club say that Jake Waterman, Matt Flynn and Elliot Yeo will all line up this weekend in the Derby.

Tyler Brockman’s season is over following an ankle injury, Liam Duggan is still in concussion protocols.

West Coast Eagles Team List

B: T.Cole, T.Barrass, H.Edwards

HB: J.Hunt, J.McGovern, B.Hough

C: R.Maric, T.Kelly, L.Edwards

HF: L.Ryan, J.Waterman, J.Cripps

F: J.Darling, O.Allen - C, J.Williams

FOLL: B.Williams, E.Yeo, H.Reid

I/C: R.Ginbey, Z.Trew, J.Rotham, J.Hutchinson, J.Culley

EMG: D.Sheed, J.Petruccelle, A.Witherden

In: J.McGovern, J.Waterman, J.Darling, E.Yeo

Out: A.Witherden (Omitted), J.Jones (Omitted), J.Petruccelle (Omitted), C.Chesser (Omitted)