Western derby 60: Fremantle claim victory over West Coast Eagles
West Coast and Fremantle may enter the derby winless, but make no mistake, there is more than four points on the line in western derby 60.
Fremantle will be eager to take the pressure off after a dire 0-2 start to the new campaign, where the hopes of a top-four berth are high.
Meanwhile, the Eagles showed heart in a fighting loss to the reigning premiers in Brisbane last week after a first-round slaughter to Gold Coast, and they will sniff another derby ambush to give coach Andrew McQualter his first taste of victory.
Follow all the action from Optus Stadium in our live blog.
Crowd
Another good derby crowd in the house today.
53,289
End is nigh
Both teams are eager for the match to end as the Dockers struggle to make the most of golden chances and West Coast fall apart.
Without McGovern to organise the defence Fremantle are splitting them open at will, they just can’t get the ball through the big sticks.
The Eagles’ kids are trying but they don’t have the fitness or skill to break through and are on the edge of being slaughtered.
WC 55 FRE 100
Pearce back
Some good news on the injury front!
Pearce has come back on the ground and looks to be moving freely as Amiss slots another major.
WC 54 FRE 97
Pearce down
The Dockers skipper Pearce has injured an ankle in a marking contest and with Sharp having already been subbed, they are now down a player as well.
It won’t make much difference now but big ramifications down the line if it’s anything serious.
WC 48 FRE 91
Last roll
The Eagles have moved Harley Reid back and are using him and Maric to try and generate run out of defence but it is falling apart under the Dockers pressure.
WC 47 FRE 85
McGovern injury
The Eagles have confirmed Jeremy McGovern has injured his groin and is unlikely to return to the game.
3QT WC 47 FRE 83
The news is all bad for the Eagles as Jeremy McGovern heads to the rooms in pain and Oscar Allen becomes the full back as Harry Edwards has been subbed.
Fremantle have the game well under their control at the final break and the stats tell the story.
The Eagles have had nearly 50 less disposals and have had their 24 inside 50s doubled.
Fremantle lead the hit outs and the clearances as well as the contested possessions.
A spark!
The Eagles go coast-to-coast and after two huge efforts of heart get a set shot after Harley Reid climbs into the sky for a baby hanger.
The Eagles got through the forward press and Archer Reid put his body on the line to get the ball to ground.
Ryan than put on a dance to get a central kick away that Reid pulls down over Chapman.
The Eagles have also just called Hewett onto the field as the sub.
WC 41 FRE 69
Kicking away
Clark roosts one from 50 and the game is out of control for the Eagles.
The Dockers are the much better side but their mistakes are holding them back.
McQualter needs to address Serong and the midfield belting in general.
WC 34 FRE 68
Life?
The Eagles get an electric clearance from the first bounce of the second half and get a major within seconds.
Baker missed a handball to Graham but the former Tiger cleaned up and hit Jack Williams lace out for an easy set shot.
WC 34 FRE 54
