Western Derby LXI recap: Fremantle Dockers out to avoid any finals spoilers from West Coast underdogs
Fremantle are looking to continue their march towards finals as West Coast hope to spoil their party by causing the biggest upset in western derby history.
The two teams could not be more polar opposites when it comes to form, with Fremantle coming off one of their best-ever wins and having won eight of their past-nine.
The Eagles are coming off one of their most dispiriting losses and are set for a second wooden spoon in three years, and are facing the prospect of a one-win season.
But the derby rarely cares about the ladder with the Dockers on high alert to avoid any Eagles spoilers.
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Bolton with some magic
Luke Jackson has another go at one but can’t quite clunk the mark it spills out and Shai Bolton smash and grabs through the contest and then dribbles it through on the angle.
FRE 12.18 (88) WCE 7.4 (46)
Final quarter underway
Dockers win another centre clearance and it ends up with Luke Jackson after the Eagles rebound off half back breaks down.
He’s on a tight angle but he splits the middle will the Dockers finally just kick away.
FRE 11.16 (82) WCE 7.4 (46)
End of Q3
The Dockers once again should be further in front but wasted some chances while the Eagles will also rue a couple of easy misses.
The Dockers haven’t completely shut them out yet but are dominating the stats.
They’re plus 15 in clearances plus 22 in contested possessions and have had 14 more inside 50s.
It’s their goalkicking which has let them down while the Eagles have just found ways to generate scores to keep the margin from blowing out.
Caleb Serong is being well held but Haydeon Young is currently BOG for the Dockers with two goals, 18 touches and six clearances.
Tim Kelly goals on the siren
Kelly catches Oscar McDonald to win a free kick to bring up his 20th disposal on his return to the midfield.
He’s directly in front and makes no mistake to kick his second goal and bring the margin back to 30-points.
FRE 10.16 (76) WCE 7.4 (46)
Hayden Young goals
The Eagles look like they’re out but the kick is not called 15 and Harley is tackled and the ball is turned over.
Andrew Brayshaw stands up in the tackle to fire it out to Young who goals on the run.
He’s had a big day.
FRE 10.15 (75) WCE 6.4 (40)
Eagles make their sub
Muprhy Reid bites off a great kick to find Shai Bolton in the middle as he charges the Dockers forward.
It ends up in the hands of Amiss but he has another miss.
Tyrell Dewar comes on for Matt Owies who had just three touches.
Eagles now missing
Liam Ryan misses a set shot after winning a controversial high. The Eagles intercept off the kick-in and Elijah Hewett has a set shot from in front.
He misses left.
FRE 9.13 (67) WCE 6.3 (39)
The Dockers finally kick a goal!
The Dockers intercept the ball in a middle and strip the ball to a tackle.
The Dockers are out the back and Jye Amiss takes an uncontested mark.
He squeezes it through to end the Dokcers’ rut and then it’s on as Tom Cole and Amiss get into it and both sides come together.
Pat Voss is involved of course but he gets the last laugh as Fremantle win the next centre clearance and he marks and goals.
Fremantle back on top.
FRE 9.13 (67) WCE 6.1 (37)
Horror defensive mix-up
Liam Ryan kicks the Eagles’ first behind. Luke Ryan misses his target from the kick-in but they recover it goes back to Ryan who misses another kick and then Heath Chapman is cuaght cold as he doesn’t know want to do.
Liam Baker wins the free and kicks the goal and the margin is back to 18 points.
FRE 7.13 (55) WCE 6.1 (37)
More misses
Jaeger O’Meara set shot falls shot while Shai Bolton misses a goal on the run when he could’ve probably run another 10m closer.
They’ve kicked 1.9 since quarter time.
